Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot of another airplane, who was taxiing with no intent for flight, to maintain proper visual lookout.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While waiting in the run-up area to taxi onto the runway, the pilot of the Cessna heard a loud noise and felt his airplane move. He shut down the engine and, after getting out of the airplane, he observed that the left wing of a Piper had collided with the left side of the Cessna’s rudder and vertical stabilizer, tipping the vertical stabilizer to the right and twisting and buckling the fuselage. The pilot of the Piper reported that, while he was taxiing to get fuel with no intent for flight, he saw the tail of the Cessna directly in front of him. He applied right brake action and swiveled his airplane to avoid directly hitting the Cessna with the propeller. The pilot added that he had no idea why he was unable to see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision.
Source record
Factual narrative
While standing in the run-up area waiting to taxi onto the runway, the pilot of the Cessna heard a loud noise and felt movement of his airplane. He shut the engine down and got out to see that the left wing of a tail-wheel equipped Piper had collided with the left side of the Cessna’s rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot of the Piper reported that he was taxiing to get fuel, with no intent for flight, and as he turned off the taxiway to the run up pad in order to run the engine prior to getting fuel, he saw the tail of the Cessna directly in front of him. He applied right brake action and swiveled his aircraft to avoid a direct collision with his propeller. The pilot added that he had no idea of why he wasn’t able to see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision.