Incident Overview
A student pilot, after landing and taxiing back on an east/west parallel taxiway, proceeded for a subsequent departure on the same runway to the west. The taxiway traversed an open parking ramp. As the airplane transitioned onto the ramp, an unidentified marshaller directed the airplane down a north/south taxiway that circumnavigated hangars on the south side of the airport.
Taxiway Congestion
According to the student pilot, airplanes were parked along both sides of the taxiway, with many parked across the double-yellow taxiway edge lines and into the taxiway object-free movement area. The pilot endeavored to keep the nose wheel on the taxiway centerline as taught to maintain clearance.
Collision and Damage
While taxiing, the left wing of the airplane contacted a parked airplane, pivoted around the contact point, and struck the tail with the turning propeller. The accident airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Airport Reaction
According to airport personnel, there was overwhelming response to a breakfast fly-in that morning that was neither NOTAMed nor anticipated. Overflow parking was not easily accommodated due to heavy rains and heavily soaked infield areas. Photos taken immediately after the accident depicted several airplanes parked over the double-yellow taxiway edge lines and into the taxiway object-free movement area.