Aero Commander S2R N3662X and Air Tractor Inc AT-502B N6072X accident near Odessa, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot of the Air Tractor's failure to maintain clearance from the Aero Commander.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the other aircraft.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the Air Tractor airplane reported that after loading the airplane's chemical tanks he began taxiing for departure. The pilot said he was watching his left wing to clear obstacles, but sun glare made looking to the right difficult. The pilot said he did not see an Aero Commander airplane that was stopped on the taxiway, waiting to enter the loading area. The propeller of the Air Tractor struck the right wing of the Aero Commander, substantially damaging its right wing. The pilots of each airplane reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframes and engines of their respective aircraft that would have precluded normal flight.

The pilot of the Air Tractor airplane reported that after loading the airplane's chemical tanks he began taxing for departure. The pilot said he was watching his left wing to clear obstacles, but sun glare made looking to the right difficult. The pilot said he did not see an Aero Commander airplane that was stopped on the taxiway idling, waiting to come in to the loading area. The propeller of the Air Tractor struck the right wing of the Aero Commander, substantially damaging its right wing. The pilots of each airplane reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframes and engines of their respective aircraft that would have precluded normal flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA252 for the full record.