Beech A60 N38N and Amateur-built COZY MARK IV N484BD accident near Pompano Beach, Florida

Probable cause

The pilots of both airplanes did not maintain adequate visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision.

NTSB analysis

A Beech A60 and a Cozy Mark IV collided at the intersection of two taxiways shortly after air traffic control tower operations had resumed. The pilot of the Beech had landed and was taxiing to the hangar area via taxiways L and C. He stated that he noticed the Cozy behind a hold short line for taxiway L then diverted his attention to the north; he contacted the local controller, who advised him to contact the ground controller. In the meantime, the ground controller advised the Cozy pilot to proceed on taxiway L then A toward the takeoff area. Shortly thereafter, before the Beech pilot could contact the ground controller, the left propeller of the Beech A60 contacted the right wing of the Cozy. Although both airplanes were communicating with air traffic controllers, they were communicating with different controllers, since control had just recently resumed; therefore, the controllers’ performance was not related to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA361 for the full record.