What happened
Two aircraft collided on an airport ramp while each was taxiing toward runway 8L for takeoff. Both pilots had received authorization from air traffic control to proceed to the runway. Air traffic control instructed the pilot of the Cessna to follow the Beechcraft.
The two aircraft were heading in the same general direction along converging paths when the impact occurred. The right-rear side of the Cessna fuselage struck the left wing tip of the Beechcraft. Examination of the damage sustained during the collision indicated that the Cessna was overtaking the Beechcraft at the time of the accident.
The pilot of the Beechcraft reported seeing the Cessna overtaking him at a high rate of speed moments before the collision. Conversely, the pilot of the Cessna stated that he never saw the Beechcraft prior to impact. The Cessna was configured for cargo-carrying and had no windows installed aft of the cockpit, which likely contributed to the lack of visual contact.
The investigation
Examination of the impact damage on both aircraft provided critical insights into the dynamics of the collision. The damage pattern confirmed that the Cessna was gaining on the Beechcraft from behind or the side as they moved along their respective taxi paths. The structural deformation on the right-rear fuselage of the Cessna and the tip of the Beechcraft's left wing were consistent with a rearward overtaking maneuver.
Findings
Contributing factors included the Cessna pilot's failure to see the other aircraft, likely due to the cargo configuration which eliminated aft windows. The Beechcraft pilot did observe the approaching aircraft but could not avoid the collision in time. The convergence of taxi paths and the speed differential between the two aircraft resulted in the impact.