Ground Collision: Cessna 180B, N188H; accident occurred December 15, 2018 at Moriarty Municipal Airport (0E0), Torrance County, New Mexico

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N188H

Location: MORIARTY, NM
Accident Number: GAA19CA097
Date & Time: 12/15/2018, 0940 MST
Registration: N188H
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing, while exiting onto the taxiway, he decided to "cut the corner" instead of following the taxiway centerline. He did not see the parked glider to his right, and at the last second, he applied brakes. Subsequently, the airplane's tail rose, and the elevator struck the glider's vertical and horizontal stabilizer.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a parked glider while taxiing from the runway.

Findings

Personnel issues
Monitoring environment - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Aircraft - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi
Ground collision (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/01/2018
Flight Time:  1700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 900 hours (Total, this make and model), 1700 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N188H
Model/Series: 180 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18050652
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/01/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3854 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-50
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 285 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: 0E0, 6202 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1635 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.33 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Estancia, NM (E92)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: MORIARTY, NM (0E0)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0830 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MORIARTY MUNI (0E0)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 6204 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7702 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  34.970000, -106.000000 (est)