Taylorcraft BL-65 N27639 and Amateur-built KITFOX IV 1200 N427ET accident near Glendale, Arizona

Probable cause

The Kitfox's pilot's failure to ascertain if the intersection he approached was clear of conflicting traffic and the controller's failure to provide pertinent traffic advisories to both pilots. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility from the cockpits of the conventional gear airplanes.

NTSB analysis

The Kitfox's pilot notified the local controller that he experienced a malfunction with his airspeed indicator and desired to make a full stop landing on runway 19. Meanwhile, the Taylorcraft pilot requested clearance to taxi for takeoff. The local and ground controllers issued the pilots their respective clearances, and the pilots proceeded as cleared. The Kitfox landed without further mishap and chose to egress the runway in a southwesterly direction using high speed taxiway A6, which terminates at taxiway A. The pilot of the Kitfox remained on the local control frequency during the time the airplane was exiting the runway and approaching taxiway A. The Taylorcraft pilot was monitoring the ground control frequency as he proceeded as cleared in a northerly direction on taxiway A, located west and parallel to runway 19. The Kitfox initially decelerated on runway 19, and further slowed on taxiways A6 and A. The collision occurred as the Kitfox began occupying the intersection of taxiways A6 and A. The visibility from both cockpits was reduced due to the fact that both airplanes were equipped with tail wheels. The converging taxi routes and the airplanes were in clear view of the controllers; however, the controllers failed to issue the pilots advisories or instructions to preclude the collision. The airport was designed such that the midfield egress point from runway 19 was located near the ingress point for airplanes that are taxiing out of the midfield parking ramp.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA024 for the full record.