Cessna TR182 N5146S and Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L N981KM accident near San Jose, California

Probable cause

The inadequate visual lookout of the pilot and his failure to maintain clearance from another airplane.

The pilot of the other airplane's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from another airplane.

NTSB analysis

After landing on runway 31R, the pilot of a Cessna 182 exited onto taxiway Delta, with instructions to hold short of taxiway Zulu and to contact ground control for further taxi instructions. The pilot contacted ground control, and received a clearance to taxi to parking via taxiway Zulu. During this time, the Extra 300 had landed on runway 31L, and exited onto taxiway Delta, with hold short instructions for the right runway. As he turned onto Delta, the pilot of the Extra 300 saw the Cessna 182 holding short of taxiway Zulu. About a minute later, he was cleared to cross the right runway, hold short of taxiway Zulu, and contact ground control. The pilot of the Extra 300 taxied about 50 yards onto taxiway Delta, across the runway and across taxiway Yankee, towards taxiway Zulu. He stated that the nose of the airplane blocked his forward view and that he did not perform S-turns to identify any obstacles ahead. He also reported that he had forgotten that he had seen the Cessna 182 on taxiway Zulu earlier. The Extra 300 pilot was taxiing with idle power, and about to contact ground control, when the propeller of his airplane collided with the tail, rudder, and elevator of the Cessna 182.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08LA235 for the full record.