N1190L

On October 9, 1994, at 2258 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28R-201T, N38869, and an American Grumman AG-5B, N1190L, were involved in a ground collision near the active runway (28) at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport located in Syracuse, New York. The pilot and three passengers in N38869 were not injured. N38869 was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger of N1190L were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. Both flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot of N38869 stated, "I advised the tower that I was ready for departure on runway 28. Tower advised me to hold short for landing traffic. I had the landing traffic in sight so I turned off my taxi light and strobe and advised the tower that I was holding and also advised of my lights. About 10 to 15 seconds later we were run into by the other aircraft."

The pilot of N1190L stated, I taxied down the main taxiway 'hotel', scanning for other traffic, and monitoring ground frequency. Both I, and my passenger, observed no other traffic in the area, outside of an aircraft on approach to Rwy. 28. As I approached the intersection of Hotel and Juliett, I prepared to turn left onto Juliett....Although I was taxiing at an already slow pace, due to the dark conditions, I slowed even further in preparation for the turn. Suddenly, only a few feet ahead of me, appeared a parked aircraft, with no lights visible. This darkened aircraft was stopped on Taxiway Hotel. I immediately took evasive action...Momentum carried my aircraft, and the right wing struck the other aircraft's vertical stabilizer, causing the wing to puncture, and spill fuel. This yawed my aircraft to the right, causing my propeller to damage the other aircraft's empennage...."

According to the Syracuse Tower Local and Ground Control combined position tape transcriptions, on the night of the accident, at 2249:10, N38869 was cleared to taxi "...to runway two eight at Juliet." The pilot of N38869 communicated with the controller throughout the transcription. At 2253:17, N1190L was cleared to "...taxi to runway two eight at Juliet." At 2253:24, the pilot of N38869 stated to the controller that he was ready for takeoff.

The controller responded, "...hold short landing traffic." The pilot of N38869 responded, "Holding short landing traffic lights off." At 2258:10, the pilot of N38869 reported to the controller that his airplane was struck by another airplane on the taxiway. (See attached transcription for further detail).

According to the Airport Manager, the collision occurred a few feet away from the intersection of taxiways Hotel and Juliet. He stated both airplanes appeared to be positioned on taxiway Hotel. The manager stated that the hold short line on taxiway Juliet, for runway 28, was about 500 to 600 feet away from the accident site.