Incident Overview
On 18 November 2018 at 1510 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration G-CLAP) was involved in a ground collision with a parked RV-9 (registration G-PLAR) at North Weald Airfield, Essex. The pilot of G-CLAP was taxiing after arriving from Elstree and was looking for a parking spot.
Sequence of Events
The pilot taxied along Taxiway A past 'The Squadron' building. He had incorrectly believed that area was where he should find parking, based on advice from North Weald Radio to park near other Cessnas and seeing aircraft that seemed to be parking there. As he taxied close to G-PLAR, which was parked with its tail facing the taxiway, the pilot observed two individuals in front of the aircraft. He was uncertain whether G-PLAR was fully within its parking slot and did not realize how close his right wing was to the tail of G-PLAR. One of the individuals signaled to the pilot, but the pilot misinterpreted the signal as an instruction to proceed forward. As he continued taxiing, the individual quickly changed the signal to indicate a stop, but it was too late. The right wing of G-CLAP struck the rudder of G-PLAR. The pilot then stopped the engine of G-CLAP and exited the aircraft.
Damage and Injuries
The collision caused minor damage to the wing tip of G-CLAP and damage to the rudder of G-PLAR. The pilot of G-CLAP was the sole occupant and reported no injuries.
Pilot Experience
The commander held a Private Pilot's Licence, was 38 years old, and had accumulated 157 hours of flying experience, all on the Cessna 152 type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 12 hours, including 2 hours in the last 28 days.
Pilot Comment
In hindsight, the pilot commented that he should have consciously taxied away from the center of the taxiway to provide more clearance from parked aircraft, noting that aircraft were only parked on one side.