Incident Overview
Two airplanes were involved in a ground collision while taxiing at an airport. Air traffic control had cleared both aircraft to taxi to runway 35. The Canadair was instructed to proceed via taxiways "A" and "P," while the Airbus was cleared via taxiway "A." Taxiway "A" runs parallel to runway 35/17, and taxiway "P" intersects taxiway "A" at a 45-degree angle near the approach end of runway 35.
Sequence of Events
The captain of the Airbus reported observing the Canadair holding short of runway 35 on taxiway "P." Believing there was sufficient clearance to safely pass, the captain positioned the Airbus 2 to 3 feet to the right of the taxiway "A" centerline. The captain stated that he thought the airplanes were clear of each other when the left wing of the Airbus struck the Canadair's rudder.
The flight crew of the Canadair reported that they were parked on taxiway "P" with the parking brake set. They felt a "jolt" at the moment of impact.
Damage Assessment
The trailing edge of the Canadair's rudder was struck near its midpoint. The impact penetrated forward approximately 90 percent of the rudder's width. The Airbus sustained damage to its left winglet and the strobe/navigation light assembly.
FAA Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the scene. The inspector measured the length of the Canadair back from the taxiway "P" hold-short line and then measured perpendicular to the taxiway "A" centerline, a distance equivalent to half the wingspan of the Airbus. Based on these measurements, the inspector noted that the Airbus would have required about an additional 8 feet to clear the Canadair.