COMPTON, CA, USA
N235DE
Stinson 108-3
N6WR
Revell MIDGET MUSTANG
Both pilots reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft. The Stinson pilot stated that his ability to perform clearing turns was limited due to the narrowness of the taxiway and the proximity of parked aircraft on the north side.
On May 12, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N235DE, collided with a homebuilt experimental Revell Midget Mustang, N6WR, while both aircraft were taxiing for departure at the Compton, California, airport. Both aircraft were operated by their respective owners for local area personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plans were filed. The Stinson sustained minor propeller and cowl damage. The Midget Mustang sustained substantial damage to the empennage surfaces, aft fuselage, and left wing. Neither pilot, the sole occupants of their respective airplanes, were injured. Both flights were originating at the time of the accident. Both pilots were interviewed by telephone on May 13, 1996, and they reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft.
The failure of the pilot to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor in the accident was the narrow, confined nature of the taxiway, which restricted the pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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