Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N4256Q and Piper J3C Cub, N70522: Accident occurred Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Greeley–Weld County Airport (KGXY), Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

N4256Q Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

N4256Q  Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

N4256Q Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Registered Owner: Burnham Cessna N4256Q LLC
Operator:  Aims Community College

http://registry.faa.gov/N4256Q

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA058A
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 15, 2015 in Greeley, CO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/14/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 172, registration: N4256Q
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

N70522 Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

N70522   Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

N70522  Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N70522

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA058B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 15, 2015 in Greeley, CO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/14/2016
Aircraft: PIPER J3C, registration: N70522
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the pilot of tandem cockpit, tailwheel-equipped Piper airplane, which he was operating from the rear seat, while taxiing to the runway his forward visibility was diminished by his airplane's nose, requiring the use of "S" turns in order to clear the area in front of the airplane. He reported that a Cessna airplane was in front of his airplane, and taxiing to the runway as well. He remarked that he and the Cessna were holding on the taxiway momentarily in order to monitor and give way to arriving and departing traffic. He reported that the Cessna moved forward, and he followed, but while entering the "S" turn, he lost sight of the Cessna. He remarked that he abruptly applied the right brake in order to avoid a collision, and his left wing impacted the Cessna's rudder. 

The pilot of the Cessna reported that during his taxi to the runway, his airplane was struck from behind by the Piper airplane. Both pilots shut down their airplanes, assessed the damage and exchanged information. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the rudder, while the Piper sustained minor damage to the left wing.

Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot of the following airplane failed to maintain adequate spacing during the taxi to the runway, resulting in a collision with the lead airplane.