Incident Overview
At dawn, the aircrews of a Piper PA-31 (registration N62849) and a Piper PA-30 (registration N7047Y) began taxiing from a cargo ramp to Runway 26. Their route involved traversing a parallel taxiway.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of the PA-31 stopped the aircraft at a glide slope hold line located near the end of the parallel taxiway. While waiting for an aircraft to land, the PA-30 approached from behind. The PA-30 pilot stated that he did not see the PA-31 in the darkness until it was too late to stop. He reported observing only a white position light on the PA-31, with no other lights visible. Additionally, the PA-30 pilot indicated that his vision was impaired by the landing lights of the aircraft on final approach to the runway.
Damage
Both aircraft were substantially damaged as a result of the impact.
Pilot Reports
The PA-30 pilot specifically noted that the darkness and the bright landing lights of the approaching aircraft hindered his ability to see the stationary PA-31 ahead. He reported that the only light he could discern on the PA-31 was a white position light.