Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA077

San Diego, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N3242

CURTISS WRIGHT TRAVEL AIR 4000

Aircraft #2

N2242W

PIPER PA28

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that, while taxiing, he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that while taxiing he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplane's that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane stopped ahead of him during taxi.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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