Overview
An incident occurred at a rural airport involving two airplanes during taxi operations. The accident airplane had landed on the east/west runway and was back-taxiing to a ramp area. The ramp area is described as 'L' shaped and situated between the approach end of the east/west runway and the approach end of a second northwest/southeast runway.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of the accident airplane planned to stop near a waiting school bus parked in the ramp area. Meanwhile, a second airplane was waiting in the same ramp area to taxi to a fuel pump, with its engine running at idle power. The pilot of the second airplane reported that he intended to wait until the accident airplane was clear of the runway before proceeding and had no intention to fly.
As the accident airplane taxied into the ramp area, its pilot did not see the second airplane. The pilot of the accident airplane reported that flat light conditions made it difficult to see the second airplane, which was painted white and blue. Subsequently, the left wing of the accident airplane collided with the turning propeller of the second airplane.
Airport Environment
Movement through the area is not controlled. According to the Alaska Airport/Facility Directory, the airport is unattended. The directory includes remarks stating that the runway condition is not monitored, there is uncontrolled vehicular traffic on runways, no line of sight between runways or waterways, and aircraft on the east side of runway 14/32 may be in the safety area.
Post-Incident Information
The pilot of the second airplane had planned to wait for the accident airplane to clear before proceeding. The collision occurred despite the second airplane being stationary with its engine at idle. The flat light conditions were cited as a factor in the accident pilot's inability to see the second airplane.