NTSB Factual Report

On June 23, 2013, about 2115 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182T airplane, N411CP, and a Cessna 172S airplane, N694RR, collided while on the ground at the Montgomery Field Airport (KMYF) San Diego, California. The commercial pilot onboard the Cessna 182T and the private pilot and pilot rated passenger onboard the Cessna 172S were not injured. The Cessna 182T sustained substantial damage to the right aileron, and the Cessna 172S sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The Cessna 182T was registered to and operated by KQM Aviation, and the Cessna 172S was registered to Rowbot, LLC, and operated by Justice Aviation. Both airplanes were operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot of the Cessna 182T did not file a flight plan; the pilot of the Cessna 172S filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan but it was not opened. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot of the Cessna 182T reported that the purpose of the flight was to maintain night currency. After the first landing, the pilot reported over the radio that he was clear of the runway and taxiing on taxiway H to return to the runway. While taxiing with navigational and taxi lights on, the pilot noticed a white airplane appear in his right windscreen; he applied maximum braking, but the airplane still impacted the other airplane's outboard left wing.

The pilot of the Cessna 172S reported that they were taxiing with navigational and taxi lights on from the transit parking ramp onto taxiway H. He was at the flight controls and the pilot rated passenger was obtaining an IFR clearance when they both felt the entire airplane lurch. They turned to look out the window and they saw a propeller next to the left side of their airplane. Both occupants reported that they did not see the Cessna 182T until after it struck their airplane.

During a postaccident examination of the area, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that he revisited the airport in similar lighting conditions as when the accident occurred. The inspector reported that while he was driving the routes reported by the pilots, there were no airport obstructions that would have restricted their visibility.

FAA Regulations [14 CFR 91.113(b)] required that each person operating an aircraft maintain vigilance so as to "see and avoid other aircraft."

NTSB Probable Cause

Both pilots’ failure to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing during nighttime conditions, which resulted in an on-ground collision.