Torrance, CA, USA
N31WK
Pitts S1
N27GM
Rutan VARIEZE
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane had landed and was taxiing to his hangar while monitoring the control tower frequency. The pilot did not perform S-turns during his taxi and was not informed of another airplane in his proximity. The pilot of a low-wing airplane was parked near a movement boundary area. He watched the biplane taxi down the taxiway without performing S-turns. The pilot of the low-wing airplane had previously contacted the ground controller and was not informed of the taxiing biplane. The biplane impacted the low-wing airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the low-wing airplane and minor damage to the biplane. The pilot of the biplane stated that he had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical problems with their respective airplanes.
On January 19, 2019, at 0850 Pacific standard time, an Aviat Pitts S-1T, N31WK, collided with an experimental Rutan VariEze, N27GM, while taxiing at Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The pilot of the Pitts was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot of the VariEze sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. According to the pilot of the VariEze, he had taxied from his hangar to an area just short of the movement boundary area past the east end of taxiway alpha. At this point, the pilot made his initial radio transmission to ground control for clearance to taxi to the runway. After a second radio transmission, the pilot saw the Pitts taxiing in his direction on taxiway A. The pilot stated that the airplane was directly on centerline and was not performing S-turns. He had also not received any radio transmissions from the ground controller and was not concerned as it was common for airplanes to taxi back to runway 29 via A and make a turn at taxiway J, which was before his location; however, when the Pitts passed the turn to J, he realized that a collision was imminent. The pilot stated that his airplane was stationary at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot of the Pitts, after landing, he reported to the tower controller’s query that he was going to the east T-hangars. He was instructed to taxi via taxiways F and A to the hangars and to remain on tower frequency. The pilot stated that he was not notified of his proximity to the other airplane. The pilot reported that his airplane had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation.
The biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while taxing, which resulted in a ground collision.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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