On January 15, 2001, a Cessna T210L (registration N2508S) was involved in an aviation accident near San Luis Obispo, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual clearance while taxiing due to glare from the morning sun, which resulted in a collision with another aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot taxiing a Cessna T210L reported severe visual impairment from morning sun glare. While continuing, the left wing collided with the propeller of a parked Cessna 310, causing significant damage to both aircraft.
What happened
The pilot operating a Cessna T210L encountered significant visibility issues while taxiing on the airfield. The operator reported that the morning sun was positioned directly down the taxiway, creating intense glare that made it extremely difficult to see ahead. Despite these adverse visual conditions, the pilot continued the taxiing maneuver.
During this operation, the left wing of the Cessna T210L struck the right propeller of a Cessna 310 that was situated in the run-up area. The collision resulted in substantial damage to both aircraft. The impact severed approximately five feet from the left wing of the T210L and caused damage to the right engine, propeller, and tip tank of the Cessna 310.
Findings
The investigation identified glare as a primary contributing factor to the incident. The direct sunlight down the taxiway severely compromised the pilot's ability to maintain proper situational awareness while maneuvering the aircraft on the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual clearance while taxiing due to glare from the morning sun, which resulted in a collision with another aircraft.