Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot of the second aircraft to maintain a safe distance from the lead airplane while taxiing, which resulted in a ground collision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while taxiing to the ramp for parking behind another airplane, the airplane in front of him suddenly stopped and he impacted that airplane from the rear. He said that all he heard was the propeller of his airplane hitting the tail of the airplane in front of him. He immediately shut down the engine of his airplane and the airplane that had been struck taxied to the ramp and parked. The airplane that was impacted sustained substantial damage to the tail and the other airplane sustained minor damage. There were no reported preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures to either airplane that would have precluded normal operation.