Incident Overview
A collision occurred between a Cessna 172 and a Boeing A75N1 (Stearman) on a runway. The Cessna 172 pilot had performed a preflight engine run-up on the taxiway before waiting for a twin-engine aircraft to land. After the twin-engine aircraft landed, the Cessna pilot radioed his intention to take off, double-checked the final approach area, and, seeing no other aircraft, taxied onto the runway.
Sequence of Events
While the Cessna 172 pilot was waiting for the twin-engine aircraft to land, the pilot of the Boeing A75N1 Stearman had extended his pattern and turned onto a long final approach. The Stearman pilot reported that he did this to allow the twin-engine airplane to land ahead of him. As the Stearman continued its approach, the pilot did not see the beige-colored Cessna 172 taxi onto the runway. The Stearman pilot reported that visibility was poor from the back seat. Additionally, the Stearman was not equipped with a radio.
Collision
As the Cessna pilot advanced the throttle for takeoff, his left wing was struck by the Stearman's landing gear. The contact between the two aircraft occurred while both were on or near the runway.
Pilot Reports
The Cessna 172 pilot stated that after the twin-engine aircraft landed, he radioed his intention, checked the final approach area, and with no other aircraft in sight, proceeded onto the runway. The Stearman pilot reported extending his pattern and turning long final to accommodate the twin, but did not see the Cessna due to poor visibility from the back seat and the lack of a radio in his aircraft.