N812BL – Aviat PITTS S-2B – 1998-06-06 NTSB Accident Report

On June 6, 1998, at 1835 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N47354, collided with an Aviat Aircraft Pitts S-2B, N812BL, while both airplanes were taxiing at Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas. There were no injuries to the private pilot and passenger of the Cessna or to the airline transport rated pilot of the Pitts. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Cessna was operated by Monarch Air of Dallas, Texas, and the Pitts was operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flights.

According to the FAA inspector, the Pitts landed on runway 33, cleared the runway, and was instructed by the ground controller to taxi to parking via taxiway U. After the Pitts taxied out of sight of the control tower, the Cessna called for and received clearance to taxi to runway 33 from the Monarch Air ramp, which is located adjacent to taxiway U.

The pilot of the Pitts stated that he saw the Cessna "running next to the taxiway in front of the flying school" and heard the ground controller issue the Cessna's taxi clearance. He further stated that the Cessna did not move, and he thought the Cessna was "giving way till I pass or the call was [for] another [aircraft]." He then "maneuvered to clear the area to my right to make the turn off of Uniform and into my hangar area." As the Pitts "came out of the clearing turn," he saw the Cessna "in the middle of the taxi way" and "swerved to the right."

The pilot of the Cessna stated that after receiving clearance from ground control, he "turned right to the taxiway U, but found another aircraft and a car coming in the opposite direction." He further stated that as "there was no way to turn back," he "decided to take the right side."

Two witnesses, who were preparing to start an airplane parked on the Monarch Air ramp, observed the two airplanes taxiing toward one another on taxiway U. They reported that the Cessna pulled off the right side of the taxiway into the grass "to avoid the collision, but the left wing of the Pitts caught the Cessna's left wing." They further reported that the Pitts, a tailwheel-equipped biplane, "maintained centerline" of the taxiway and made no "S turns to look for the oncoming traffic."

Monarch Air reported that the left wing of the Cessna sustained structural damage. The owner of the Pitts reported that the leading edge of the left upper wing tip was dented and had to be replaced, which required removing the fabric from the entire left upper wing.