On 15 Dec 2018, a Cessna 180 B was involved in an aviation accident near MORIARTY, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see and avoid a parked glider while taxiing from the runway. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel-equipped airplane struck a parked glider while taxiing after landing, causing substantial damage to the airplane's right elevator. The pilot reported cutting a corner instead of following the taxiway centerline.
Incident Narrative
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after landing, while exiting onto the taxiway, he decided to "cut the corner" instead of following the taxiway centerline. He did not see a parked glider to his right. At the last second, he applied the brakes, causing the airplane's tail to come up, and the elevator struck the glider's vertical and horizontal stabilizer.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to its right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.