Airplane and Automobile Collide on Taxiway at Night

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported that during taxi at night, he turned off the airplane's anti-collision lights because they were creating a disco effect. While proceeding on the taxiway toward his hangar, he observed an automobile converging on the same taxiway. The pilot anticipated that the vehicle would turn off the taxiway. When the automobile did not turn, the pilot increased engine throttle and cycled the lights on and off in an attempt to alert the driver. Despite these efforts, the automobile and the airplane collided.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-side fuselage and the right wing.

Malfunction Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.