Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper visual lookout during taxi operations, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, after landing the airplane, he taxied it to the general aviation tie-down area on the airport. The pilot stated that he normally taxied the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie-down rows on the ramp but that this space was occupied; therefore, he initiated a 180-degree turn to exit the row for an alternate tie-down location. The pilot stated that, during the turn, he misjudged the space needed to safely execute the maneuver and struck a parked airplane with his airplane's right wing tip. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point and buckling of the right wing flap and tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the general aviation tie down area on the airport. The pilot stated that he normally taxis the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie down rows on the ramp. The pilot's normal tie down space was occupied and he initiated a 180 degree turn to exit the row for an alternate tie down location. The pilot stated that during the turn, he misjudged the space needed to safely execute the maneuver and struck a parked airplane with his airplane's right wing tip. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point, buckling of the right wing flap, and right wing tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.