Primary finding
Probable cause
The low wing airplane pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and his decision to activate the portable ADS-B receiver while taxiing, which resulted in a ground collision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of a high wing airplane was taxiing from the hangar area to the runway for departure from the non-tower-controlled airport. The pilot of low wing airplane was also planning to depart from the same airport and began to taxi. As the low wing airplane approached an intersection, he did not see any approaching traffic and then looked inside to turn on a portable ADS-B receiver. Several seconds later, the low wing airplane’s propeller contacted the right wing of the of the high wing airplane, substantially damaging the wing. Both pilots reported that their were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the low wing airplane also stated that he should have looked for traffic a second time during the taxi and should have turned on the portable ADS-B receiver before starting the taxi.