GAA19CA346

Factual narrative

According to a representative of the flight school, both airplanes were operated single pilot, by pilot rated students performing separate pilot in command skills building training flights. Both airplanes landed at the same airport after a short cross-country flight. Following a short break, the pilots entered their respective airplanes and taxied to the runway. The pilot in the lead airplane pulled to the right side of the taxiway to allow the following airplane to pass. The pilot of the following airplane was looking at his onboard navigation device as he attempted to pass on the left side of the lead airplane, and his right wing struck the left wing of the lead airplane. Both pilots shut down their airplanes, exited and assessed the damage. Both pilots determined that the damage was inconsequential and departed for the next leg of their training flight. Further examination by the flight school's maintenance department, revealed that substantial damage was sustained to the left wing aileron of the stationary airplane, and to three right-wing ribs of the passing airplane. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. According to a flight school representative, two solo pilot-rated students were performing pilot-in-command, skills-building training flights. The pilots were taxiing their airplanes to the runway when the pilot in the lead airplane pulled to the right side of the taxiway to allow the pilot in the other airplane to pass. The pilot of the passing airplane was looking at his onboard navigation device as he attempted to pass on the left side of the lead airplane, and his airplane's right wing struck the lead airplane's left wing. Both pilots shut down their airplanes, exited them, and assessed the damage and determined that the damage was minimal, so they departed for the next leg of their training flight. After that flight, flight school maintenance personnel examined the airplanes and found that the lead airplane's left wing aileron and the passing airplane's three right-wing ribs had sustained substantial damage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Pilot of other aircraft - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Aircraft-Effect on operation - C
• F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot of other aircraft - F
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Aircraft-Effect on operation - C
• F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot - F