Incident Overview
On 25 October 2003 at 1235 hours UTC, a Cessna 195, registration N999MH, was involved in a ground collision at Compton Abbas Airfield, Wiltshire. The aircraft was engaged in a private flight with the pilot and four passengers on board. The pilot held an FAA Private Pilot's Licence with an Instrument Rating and was 39 years old with 728 hours total flying experience, of which 110 hours were on type. His recent flying experience included 5 hours in the last 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
After a normal engine start, the pilot taxied his tailwheel aircraft across the grass towards the holding area for Runway 26. The weather was good with a light north-westerly surface wind. Two other aircraft were stationary, holding for the runway. The pilot of N999MH failed to see one of these aircraft. As a result, the right wing of N999MH struck the propeller of one of the stationary aircraft, identified as G-AYEV.
Aircraft Damage
The collision resulted in minor damage to the right wing of N999MH and shock loading to the engine of G-AYEV. No injuries were reported among the crew or passengers.
Pilot Information
The aircraft commander, who held a US FAA Private Pilot's Licence with an Instrument Rating, had 728 hours of total flying experience, including 110 hours on the Cessna 195. His recent flying activity was limited, with only 1 hour in the last 28 days before the incident.