Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout by allowing his attention to be diverted.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While taxiing to the hangar after landing, the pilot's attention was diverted when he reached behind his seat to retrieve a checklist. Subsequently, the airplane collided with two hangars.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 27, 1996, at 1156 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 414, N414AW, was substantially damaged while taxiing after landing at Broomfield, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at Scottsdale, Arizona, on May 27, 1996, approximately 0800 pacific daylight time. The following is based on a telephone interview with the pilot, and reiterated in his written accident report. After landing on runway 11L, the pilot began taxiing on taxiway A4 to his hangar. As the airplane was taxiing, he reached behind his seat to retrieve a checklist. "When I turned around," he wrote, "I was crashing into two hangars. Definitely pilot error." -