WPR11CA171

The experimental Long EZ was taxiing on taxiway A for a planned departure from the non-towered airport. About the same time, a light sport airplane (LSA) was taxiing out of a ramp area on a stub taxiway, towards taxiway A, for a planned departure. According to the Long EZ pilot, he saw the LSA approach from the right and then turned right onto taxiway A. He steered his airplane to the left side of the taxiway in an attempt to avoid the LSA. According to both persons on board the LSA, as they approached the taxiway, they looked to the right and left, and then proceeded onto taxiway A via a right turn. Shortly after the LSA joined the taxiway centerline, the Long EZ's right vertical stabilizer struck the LSA's left aileron. The LSA's rotating propeller struck the right canard of the Long EZ. The airplanes came to a stop near the edge of taxiway A, about 75 feet beyond the center of the stub taxiway. A chain link fence near the taxiway limited the pilots' ability to see one another until they were close to the taxiway intersection. However, none of the pilots involved reported that the LSA stopped before it turned onto taxiway A. Subsequent to the accident, the fixed base operator modified their standard operating procedures to require pilots to stop prior to entering taxiway A.

The experimental, amateur-built Long EZ, operated by the commercially-certificated pilot/builder/owner, was taxiing northbound on taxiway Alpha, for its departure from the non-towered airport. About the same time, the high-wing special light sport airplane (LSA), with a light sport certificated pilot in the left seat and a certificated flight instructor in the right seat, was taxiing west out of the fixed base operator's ramp area on a stub taxiway, towards taxiway Alpha, for its departure. Both taxiways were about 50 feet wide. According to the Long EZ pilot, he observed the LSA approach from his right, and then turn northbound onto taxiway Alpha. He steered his airplane to the left side of the taxiway in an attempt to avoid the LSA. According to both persons on board the LSA, as they approached the Alpha taxiway, they looked to the right and left, and then proceeded onto taxiway Alpha via a right (northbound) turn. Shortly after the LSA joined the centerline of Alpha northbound, the Long EZ's right vertical stabilizer struck the LSA's left aileron. The Long EZ began to pivot to the right (clockwise), and both airplanes veered towards the right (east) side of the taxiway. The LSA's rotating propeller then struck the right canard of the Long EZ. The airplanes came to a stop near the right (east) edge of taxiway Alpha, about 75 feet beyond the center of the stub taxiway. The skid mark from the Long EZ left main tire began about 12 feet from the left edge of Alpha, and continued 59 feet in a curve, to where the airplane stopped. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and visibility was about 10 miles. Both airplanes were based at the airport, and both were primarily white in color. A chain link fence about 6 feet high, set back about 50 feet from the south side of the stub taxiway and the east side of Alpha, limited the pilots' ability to see one another until they were close to the taxiway intersection. However, none of the three pilots involved reported that the LSA stopped before it turned onto the Alpha taxiway. Subsequent to the accident, the fixed base operator modified their standard operating procedures to require pilots to stop prior to entering taxiway Alpha.