Incident Overview
A Fairchild airplane and a Stearman biplane, both tail-wheel equipped, were involved in a ground collision on a private grass runway. The runway measured 2,400 feet in length and 100 feet in width.
Sequence of Events
The Fairchild pilot had landed and taxied off to the right side of the runway, approximately two-thirds of the way down, with the engine at idle power. He stopped to observe the Stearman, which he had been flying in tandem with, as it approached for landing. The Stearman appeared to be approaching at a higher speed than usual and touched down about halfway down the runway. During the landing roll, the Stearman began drifting to the right, toward the stopped Fairchild.
The pilot of the Stearman reported that while landing, he was looking out of the left side of his aircraft and misjudged the width of the grass runway. He subsequently clipped the Fairchild on the edge of the runway. After the collision, the Stearman continued and impacted a tree.
Damage Assessment
The Fairchild sustained substantial damage to the engine cowl and firewall. The Stearman sustained substantial damage to the lower left wing and both right wings.
Mechanical Status
The Fairchild pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The Stearman pilot noted that the tailwheel bracket might have been broken prior to the collision with the Fairchild and the subsequent tree impact. However, during postaccident interview with the investigator-in-charge, the Stearman pilot stated that during the initial preflight inspection and taxi, the tailwheel bracket appeared undamaged and that no steering issues were encountered during taxi or takeoff.