N27GMMason Gerald W VARIEZE · 1980

On January 19, 2019, at 0850 Pacific standard time, an Aviat Pitts S-1T, N31WK, collided with an experimental Rutan VariEze, N27GM, while taxiing at Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The pilot of the Pitts was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot of the VariEze sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights.

According to the pilot of the VariEze, he had taxied from his hangar to an area just short of the movement boundary area past the east end of taxiway alpha. At this point, the pilot made his initial radio transmission to ground control for clearance to taxi to the runway. After a second radio transmission, the pilot saw the Pitts taxiing in his direction on taxiway A. The pilot stated that the airplane was directly on centerline and was not performing S-turns. He had also not received any radio transmissions from the ground controller and was not concerned as it was common for airplanes to taxi back to runway 29 via A and make a turn at taxiway J, which was before his location; however, when the Pitts passed the turn to J, he realized that a collision was imminent. The pilot stated that his airplane was stationary at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation.

According to the pilot of the Pitts, after landing, he reported to the tower controller’s query that he was going to the east T-hangars. He was instructed to taxi via taxiways F and A to the hangars and to remain on tower frequency. The pilot stated that he was not notified of his proximity to the other airplane. The pilot reported that his airplane had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation.