Britten Norman BN2A N200MU and Cessna 172 N5280D accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other while taxiing, which resulted in a ground collision. Contributing to the accident was the tower controller’s failure to provide information to each pilot regarding the position and intention of the other pilot.

NTSB analysis

The pilots of a single-engine airplane and a multiengine airplane were both cleared to taxi to the runway within 2 minutes of each other; however, the tower controller did not provide either pilot with information regarding the position or taxi intentions of the other pilot as required. The two airplanes converged at a taxiway intersection, resulting in substantial damage to both. Both pilots reported that they were unaware of the proximity of the other airplane and did not see the other airplane before the collision. A review of airport surveillance video indicated that the pilot of the single-engine airplane was approaching the multiengine airplane from its right, rear quadrant at a higher taxi speed.

The video also indicated that the multiengine airplane appeared to be within the single-engine airplane pilot’s field of view before the collision, and if the pilot had been properly scanning for traffic, the collision likely would have been averted. The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that a blind spot from his right engine and wing obscured the path of the other airplane. It is also likely that, had the controller provided information to each pilot regarding the position and intentions of the other pilot, they would have exercised greater vigilance regarding scanning for traffic.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA247 for the full record.