What happened
On March 12, 2007, at approximately 10:05 local time, a collision occurred on the taxiway at Reus Airport (LERS). The incident involved a Diamond Star DA-40, registration EC-INE, operating a flight instruction mission, and a Piper PA-18, registration EC-JEC, performing aerial work.
The EC-INE had recently landed and exited the runway via taxiway C. After yielding the right-of-way to a Boeing 737, the pilot was instructed by the tower to taxi toward the apron. Simultaneously, the EC-JEC was taxiing from the aeroclub parking area toward the runway 25 holding point, following behind the same Boeing 737.
As the EC-INE entered the taxiway, the pilot steered to the right, positioning the aircraft at a 45-degree angle to the taxiway centerline. Despite this maneuver, the propeller of the EC-INE struck the left wingtip of the EC-JEC. The EC-JEC pilot was unable to react in time to avoid the impact. Both aircraft sustained minor damage, specifically to the propeller of the EC-INE and the left wingtip of the EC-JEC. There were no injuries to the crews, and all occupants evacuated the aircraft safely.
The investigation
The investigation examined the taxiway procedures at Reus Airport and the radio communications between the crews and the tower. It was noted that the airport's taxiway layout for ground movements was not published in the AIP. The investigation also reviewed the use of different languages during radio telephony, as the EC-INE crew communicated in English while the EC-JEC crew communicated in Spanish.
Investigators analyzed the visibility constraints of the aircraft involved, specifically noting the limitations of the taildragger configuration of the EC-JEC. The investigation also looked into the practice of allowing aircraft to taxi in opposite directions on the same taxiway, a common occurrence at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the simultaneous authorization of both aircraft to taxi in opposite directions on the same taxiway.
- The taildragger configuration of the Piper PA-18 resulted in limited forward visibility for the pilot, making it difficult to detect the oncoming aircraft.
- A decrease in situational awareness occurred because the crews were not fully attentive to radio communications, a factor potentially exacerbated by the use of both English and Spanish during the sequence of instructions.
- The pilot of the EC-INE was focused on checking the distance of the Boeing 737 to their right, which likely hindered their ability to monitor the left side of the taxiway.