NTSB Factual Report

On January 4, 2003, about 1425 eastern standard time, a North American AT-6A, N57318, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a Cessna 172K, N522F, registered to Spectrum Aviation, Inc., and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided on a taxiway after both landed at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either aircraft. N57318, a North American AT6A, incurred minor damage, and N522F, a Cessna 172K, incurred substantial damage. Neither the commercial-rated pilot of the North American, nor the private-rated pilot or passenger of Cessna were injured. The North American originated from Melbourne about 1 hour before the accident, and the Cessna originated from Daytona Beach about 40 minutes before the accident.

The pilot of the North American stated that he had landed on runway 27L and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He further stated that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the Cessna to taxi to the ramp. He said that he was then cleared to parking on the tower frequency, and added that the North American has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him, and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American AT6 stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems.

The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida, he turned on taxiway Q and crossed the hold short line and came to a complete stop in order to complete the "after landing checklist." He further stated that the North American impacted the tail of his airplane driving him forward about 5 feet.

The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q. He said the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. The Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. The controller further stated that when the Cessna had turned off the runway, he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred.

One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.