Sun, Jan 08, 2023
The Piper Never Stood A Chance Against The Mustang
Ask any taildragger pilot about the issues inherent in taxiing the average conventional geared airplane around a busy ramp... and then ask those who have to do it with a taildragger with even less than ideal forward visibility... like the Pitts Special, Cessna 195, Russian SU26/29/31 Sukhoi series... or... the P-51 Mustang.
So... as the year was coming to a close, two aircraft met in the worst possible way... the oft-feared nose to tail collision. A North American P-51D Mustang, registered to Nautical Investments LLC, N3333E, nicknamed 'Glamorous Glenn III', ran into the aft section of a Piper PA-46-600TP M600, registered to Two Eight Two Alpha Tango LLC, N282TX, during taxi at Houston Executive Airport (TME/KTME), Houston, Texas.
Some chopping ensued... The P-51D sustained minor damage and the sole pilot onboard was not injured. The PA-46 sustained substantial damage and the two pilots and two passengers were not injured. Preliminary information indicates that while the PA-46 was holding short for departure Runway 36 at Taxiway A, as the P-51D taxied into it. The PA-46 sustained extensive damage (both the horizontal and vertical stabilizers were destroyed, and the aft fuselage skin was damaged... close to, or past, the aft end of the pressure vessel).
The P-51D sustained damage to the propeller and will no doubt require an engine inspection/teardown. Both repairs will be costly, but the M600 is going to be very much so, if the airfame is not written off entirely. ANN Thanks Facebook's 'Aviation Accidents / This Day in History' page for some of the information and the pictures. More info when available.
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