Piper PA 20 N1562A and Maule MX7 N61SR accident near Willow, Alaska

Probable cause

The other pilot’s failure to see and avoid another airplane parked on the taxiway while taxiing in sun glare conditions.

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid another airplane stopped on the taxiway while taxiing in sun glare conditions.

NTSB analysis

The airplane pilot reported that, while taxiing from the runway to his tie-down space, he was taxiing "into the sun." He added that, before he could react, he struck the tail of another airplane, which was stopped on the taxiway.

The pilot of the stopped airplane reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was planning to depart and had stopped on the taxiway to put on his seat belt when his airplane was struck from behind.

The taxiing airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut; the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA087 for the full record.