What happened
A PIPER PA-34-200T, N33086 and a PIPER AEROSTAR 600, N8208T, were involved in an on-ground collision at night. Instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plans had been filed for both aircraft, and the pilots of both aircraft had begun taxiing for takeoff.
According to the pilot of the PA-34, he had been cleared to taxi to runway 1 via taxiways Delta, Foxtrot, and Echo, with instructions to hold short of Papa. At approximately 200 feet short of Papa, the PA-34 pilot began slowing to stop but did not see the Aerostar, which was holding short of Papa, until just before the collision.
The PA-34 received only minor damage, but the Aerostar was substantially damaged. The PA-34 pilot characterized his visibility as poor due to a combination of rain conditions and the poor frontal lighting capability of his aircraft.
The investigation
No specific mechanical examination details were provided in the source text regarding the investigation phase beyond the physical damage assessment.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the failure of the PA-34 pilot to see the Aerostar while taxiing. This was attributed to poor visibility caused by rain and inadequate frontal lighting on the PA-34.