What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) A baron 58, N7271R, was holding on the centerline of the taxiway approach to the runup area for runway 31 at Palo Alto airport. At least 6 a/c were in the runup area waiting clearance for take off. As a place opened in the runup area, the baron 58 pilot advanced the throttles to begin into the runup area. Just at that moment, this Cessna 172, N79004, approached from behind attempting to pass his left wing over the top of right wing of the baron 58 striking the baron 58'S propeller on the right engine. The propeller blades on the right engine were all bent forward. The Cessna's left wing sustained substantial damage.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) A BARON 58, N7271R, WAS HOLDING ON THE CENTERLINE OF THE TAXIWAY APPROACH TO THE RUNUP AREA FOR RUNWAY 31 AT PALO ALTO AIRPORT. AT LEAST 6 A/C WERE IN THE RUNUP AREA WAITING CLEARANCE FOR TAKE OFF. AS A PLACE OPENED IN THE RUNUP AREA, THE BARON 58 PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLES TO BEGIN INTO THE RUNUP AREA. JUST AT THAT MOMENT, THIS CESSNA 172, N79004, APPROACHED FROM BEHIND ATTEMPTING TO PASS HIS LEFT WING OVER THE TOP OF RIGHT WING OF THE BARON 58 STRIKING THE BARON 58'S PROPELLER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE PROPELLER BLADES ON THE RIGHT ENGINE WERE ALL BENT FORWARD.THE CESSNA'S LEFT WING SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.