What happened
The incident occurred at Grand Strand Airport, where Cessna T-210N N6190C was stationary on the ground. The aircraft had previously taxied onto the grass and shut down its engine in anticipation of a potential collision. While the Cessna was not in motion, it was struck by Piper J-3C N42183.
The pilot of the Piper J-3C reported that his ability to see clearly was significantly compromised because oil had accumulated on the aircraft's windshield. This visual impairment contributed to the loss of situational awareness necessary to avoid the stationary Cessna.
The investigation
Investigations into the mechanical aspects focused on the condition of the Piper J-3C's windshield. The primary finding was the presence of oil deposits that obstructed the pilot's forward view during taxi operations.
Findings
The collision was directly linked to the pilot's inability to see the stationary aircraft due to the obscured windshield. The Cessna pilot took proactive measures by turning off the engine, but these actions could not prevent the impact caused by the Piper pilot's impaired vision.