Waco RNF N110Y and Cirrus SR20 N506AV accident near Phoenix, Arizona

Probable cause

The biplane pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the low-wing airplane while taxiing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped biplane reported that while taxiing behind a low-wing airplane, he was performing s-turns to improve forward visibility. During the s-turns, the pilot momentarily lost sight of the low-wing airplane, and when he regained sight of it, he realized it had stopped. The pilot applied full right rudder and braking to avoid a collision; however, the biplane’s upper left wing struck the low-wing airplane’s rudder. During the collision sequence, the biplane’s propeller struck the low-wing airplane’s horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the upper left wing, and the low-wing airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilots of both airplanes reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA059 for the full record.