Incident
On June 23, 2013, at approximately 2115 Pacific daylight time, two Cessna airplanes collided while on the ground at Montgomery Field Airport (KMYF) in San Diego, California. The aircraft involved were a Cessna 182T, registration N411CP, and a Cessna 172S, registration N694RR. The commercial pilot of the Cessna 182T and the private pilot and pilot-rated passenger of the Cessna 172S were not injured. The Cessna 182T sustained substantial damage to the right aileron, and the Cessna 172S sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Aircraft and Operator Information
The Cessna 182T was registered to and operated by KQM Aviation. The Cessna 172S was registered to Rowbot, LLC and operated by Justice Aviation. Both flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot of the Cessna 182T did not file a flight plan. The pilot of the Cessna 172S filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, but it was not opened. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Pilot Statements
The pilot of the Cessna 182T reported that the purpose of the flight was to maintain night currency. After the first landing, the pilot announced over the radio being clear of the runway and taxiing on taxiway H to return for another takeoff. While taxiing with navigation and taxi lights on, the pilot saw a white airplane appear in the right windscreen and applied maximum braking, but the aircraft impacted the other airplane's outboard left wing.
The pilot of the Cessna 172S reported taxiing with navigation and taxi lights on from the transit parking ramp onto taxiway H. The pilot was at the flight controls while the pilot-rated passenger was obtaining an IFR clearance. Both occupants felt the airplane lurch and saw a propeller next to the left side. They stated they did not see the Cessna 182T until after it struck their airplane.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revisited the airport in similar lighting conditions as when the accident occurred. While driving the routes reported by the pilots, the inspector found no airport obstructions that would have restricted visibility.
Regulatory Context
FAA regulation 14 CFR 91.113(b) requires that each person operating an aircraft maintain vigilance to "see and avoid other aircraft."