On November 5, 2007, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N980JH) operated by Air Southeast Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Tuscaloosa, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain a visual look out while taxing resulting in an on-ground collision with a parked airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Piper pilot, while taxiing after receiving IFR clearance, applied brakes to avoid a parked aircraft, causing a yaw and collision with a Cessna Citation. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Introduction
A Piper aircraft was involved in a ground collision with a parked Cessna Citation during taxi operations. The incident occurred after the pilot received an instrument flight rules clearance and proceeded to taxi.
Circumstances
The pilot stated that he had received his instrument flight rules clearance from ground control and was cleared to taxi via taxiway Foxtrot and Alpha en route to runway 04 for takeoff. He taxied slowly on the taxiway centerline, using the taxi and landing lights for visibility. While taxiing, the pilot noticed a parked airplane to his right and applied the brakes. In response, the airplane yawed to the left, causing the right wing to collide with the left side of the fuselage of a parked Cessna Citation.
Aftermath
After the collision, the pilot stopped the airplane and notified ground control that he had collided with another aircraft. He then performed an engine shutdown and exited the airplane. Upon inspection, the pilot determined that both airplanes had received substantial damage.