Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA411

San Diego, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N506WS

SPANI WAYNE M STARDUSTER TOO SA300

Aircraft #2

N5396E

CESSNA 172

Analysis

The pilot of the tandem-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and that the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplanes waiting to depart. He added that his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot of the tandem seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway, and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he had "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplane's awaiting to depart. He added that, his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilot's reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplane's that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain separation from a stationary airplane during the taxi to the runway.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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