N87714

On December 27, 1998, about 1630 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N87714, collided with the elevator and horizontal stabilizer of a Cessna TR182, N882WS, in the run-up area of the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. Each aircraft was being operated by its private pilot/owner, the sole occupant, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The Cessna was preparing to depart for St. George, Utah, where an annual inspection was to be completed. The Piper was not intending to fly. Its owner was going to perform an engine run-up prior to maintenance. Neither pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the Cessna pilot did not file a flight plan. The Piper sustained minor damage; the Cessna sustained substantial damage.

The Cessna pilot had been parked on the first run-up marker for approximately 2 minutes conducting the takeoff checklist. His aircraft was on a heading of approximately 090 degrees. The Piper pilot, who occupied the rear seat, came out of the hangar area west of the tower and proceeded in a northerly direction toward the run-up area. There were airplanes parked on his left side, a Cherokee approaching him from the 1 o'clock position, and a Twin Otter approaching from his 4 o'clock position. As he neared the spot where he intended to do his run-up, he saw the Cessna. He shut off his engine and hit the brakes but was unable to avoid the Cessna. The pilot stated that he had thoroughly scanned the run-up area, but did not see the airplane. He believes it either blended in with the hangars behind it or was in a blind spot.

The right wing of the Piper was lightly scratched when it went under the right wing of the Cessna. However, the propeller struck the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Cessna TR182 causing substantial damage.