Accident Sequence
On September 5, 2009, at approximately 1230 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair 235, registration N290W, was substantially damaged when it was struck by a taxiing Cessna 140, registration N3656V, at Louisa County Airport (LKU) in Louisa, Virginia. Neither the certificated private pilot of the Lancair nor the certificated private pilot of the Cessna was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for the personal flights conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Both pilots were attending a fly-in event at LKU, a non-towered airport with a single east-west oriented runway. Volunteer ground personnel were present to assist marshaling aircraft out of the parking area.
According to the Lancair pilot, he started his airplane and was cleared by ground personnel to taxi to runway 27. While holding short of the runway, he conducted an engine run-up and was waiting for two airplanes to land before taxiing onto the runway for takeoff. He then felt impacts that lasted approximately 3 seconds.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Cessna reported that she was taxiing to runway 27, following the Lancair at a safe distance while conducting proper turns. As she taxied up to the runway hold short line, she lost sight of the Lancair and felt her airplane's propeller strike something. She stopped as soon as she realized what had happened.
After the collision, both pilots shut down their airplanes and exited without incident. They observed that the Cessna's propeller had struck the right horizontal stabilizer and empennage of the Lancair several times, resulting in substantial damage to the Lancair.
Pilot Information
The Cessna pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. She reported 1,875 total hours of flight experience, with 1,600 hours in the accident airplane make and model. Her most recent third-class FAA medical certificate was issued in July 2009.
The Lancair pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multiengine land, and an instrument rating. He reported 3,570 total hours of flight experience. His most recent third-class FAA medical certificate was issued in August 2009.
Weather Conditions
At 1220, reported weather at LKU included winds from 310 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies.
Additional Information
The Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) states that tailwheel-type airplanes rest on the tailwheel and main landing wheels, assuming a nose-high attitude on the ground, making objects directly ahead difficult to see. To avoid colliding with objects, pilots should alternately turn the nose from side to side—zigzag or make S-turns—while taxiing forward.