Event ANC20LA003

Factual narrative

On October 31, 2019, about 1300 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N926FE, and a Cessna 172, N274MM sustained damage during a ground collision at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport (HNL) Honolulu, Hawaii. The Cessna 208 sustained minor damage and the Cessna 172 sustained substantial damage. The solo commercial pilot of N926FE, and private pilot and passenger of N274MM were not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and N926FE had filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, and N274MM had no flight plan filed. N926FE was registered to Federal Express Corporation and operated by Corporate Air as flight 8974, an on-demand flight under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. N274MM was owned privately and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot of N926FE reported that, during taxi to the runway for departure, his airplane was number two on taxiway "C" Charlie holding for runway 26R. He positioned approximately 50 feet behind N274MM (the number one holding airplane for departure), the condition lever was set at low idle and the power lever was set all the way aft at idle. He then set the parking brake before diverting his attention from outside of the airplane to inside of the cockpit. While his attention was inside of the airplane, he was startled by a noise and vibration. He looked up and realized his airplane had taxied into N274MM. He then shut his airplane down, radioed the control tower to report the collision, and all occupants exited their airplanes. The pilot of N274MM reported that, while holding for departure, his airplane was struck from behind by N926FE. He added that, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with N274MM that would have precluded normal operation. As a result of the ground collision, N274MM sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, and left flap. A postaccident examination of N926FE by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane braking system that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of a Cessna 208B airplane reported that, during taxi to the runway for departure, his airplane was positioned approximately 50 ft behind another airplane holding for departure. He added that, he set the condition lever at low idle, and the power lever was set all the way aft to idle. He said he then set the parking brake before diverting his attention to inside of the airplane. Shortly after, he was startled by a noise and vibration, looked up, and realized his airplane had taxied into the airplane in front of him. A postaccident examination of the Cessna 208B by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the brake system that would have precluded normal operation. Given the absence of any mechanical issues with the Cessna 208B's brake system, it is likely the pilot inadvertently failed to set the parking brake before diverting his attention inside the airplane, and the airplane subsequently collided with the airplane ahead. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot of other aircraft - C