Incident Overview
A Cessna 401, registration N31DB, and a Boeing 737, registration N675AA, were involved in a taxiway collision at an airport. The Cessna had been cleared to taxi for takeoff on Runway 13L, and its crew reported having the Boeing 737 in sight. After turning northwest onto Taxiway Bravo, the Cessna captain lost sight of the 737. The Cessna first officer was occupied with duties inside the cockpit and did not see the 737 until immediately before the collision.
Sequence of Events
The Boeing 737 had landed on Runway 13L, exited the runway, and received and acknowledged clearance to taxi to the gate. However, the 737 crew did not acknowledge receiving the traffic advisory concerning the Cessna to its left. The 737 proceeded to taxi northwest on Taxiway Mike. The collision occurred as the 737 merged from Taxiway Mike onto Taxiway Bravo.
Witnesses observed the two airplanes taxiing parallel to one another, with the 737 slightly ahead of the Cessna and gradually converging. The left wing of the 737 impacted the rudder of the Cessna. The 737 crew stated they never saw the Cessna.
Ground Controller Actions
The ground controller anticipated that the 737 would follow the Cessna but did not issue specific sequencing instructions to ensure that this took place.