What happened
On November 29, 2009, at approximately 1345, a Travel Air 4000, registration N8700, taxied into a stationary Lancair 235, registration N880RS, at Zamperini Field Airport in Torrance, California.
The pilot of the N8700 was repositioning the aircraft from a hangar to a fueling area and did not intend to fly. While taxiing through a 58-foot-wide asphalt lane between hangar rows, the pilot performed continuous S-turns to maintain visibility due to the aircraft's tailwheel configuration. Upon reaching the end of the hangar buildings, the pilot observed white particles coming from the propeller. After shutting down the engine, the pilot discovered the propeller had struck the rudder of the Lancair.
The pilot of the Lancair was positioned outside of his hangar and was stationary, having started his engine and was in the process of contacting the Air Traffic Control Tower for taxi clearance. The collision resulted in no injuries to either pilot. The Lancair sustained substantial damage to its rudder, vertical fin, elevators, and horizontal stabilizer, while the Travel Air sustained no damage.
The investigation
The investigation determined the collision occurred in a non-movement ramp area not subject to air traffic control separation. The Travel Air pilot had visually checked the lane prior to taxiing and initially observed no other aircraft. The Lancair was stationary at the end of its hangar when the propeller of the Travel Air made contact with the Lancair's empennage.