What happened
The BN-2A Trislander, N414WA, was stationary on a taxiway, waiting for clearance to depart. During this time, a Beechcraft Baron, N333TQ, approached from behind and collided with the Trislander.
Weather conditions at the time included light drizzle. The pilot of the Baron reported that when he finally sighted the Trislander, it was illuminated by his own landing lights. He stated that there was insufficient distance to bring the aircraft to a stop before impact. A significant contributing factor was that the Beech 58 Baron is not equipped with windshield wipers, which likely impaired visibility during the precipitation.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the collision and the equipment configuration of the striking aircraft. It was confirmed that the BN-2A Trislander was holding in position and did not move prior to the impact. The lack of windshield wipers on the Beech 58 Baron was noted as a critical element affecting the pilot's ability to see and react to the stationary aircraft in time.
Findings
The primary factors leading to the accident were the poor visibility due to weather and the equipment limitations of the striking aircraft. The pilot of the Baron acknowledged that once the Trislander was visible, it was too late to avoid contact. The absence of windshield wipers on the Beech 58 prevented effective clearing of rain from the windshield, delaying visual detection.
Safety message
Pilots operating aircraft without windshield wipers in precipitation should exercise extreme caution during taxi operations. Early identification of other aircraft and vehicles is critical, as stopping distances may be insufficient if obstacles are not spotted well in advance.