Caravan 208B
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 55; Flight Crew Total 600; Flight Crew Type 45
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
While taxiing on a parallel taxiway to refuel aircraft; I observed a small plane crossing the threshold area and preparing to exit the runway. Being in a much larger and louder aircraft; I believed the pilot of the exiting plane would observe the approach of my aircraft as I proceeded to the fueling area. As I approached the aircraft it was evident that the pilot did not observe me. I watched as the small tailwheel airplane expeditiously exited the runway and quickly entered the taxiway in front of me. I quickly attempted to make a radio call over the UNICOM to inform the airplane of my approach and stated 'do you see me taxiing?' I then immediately throttled to idle and entered beta in an attempt to slow my airplane. I also applied brakes moderately to further slow and stop my aircraft. At this time; the tailwheel airplane was approximately 75 feet or so in front of me. I continued to slow my taxiing speed to create distance between the two of us. I then proceeded to taxi to the fueling area and shut down my aircraft. I observed the pilot of the tailwheel plane shut down his aircraft and exit it. I approached the pilot and introduced myself while subsequently asking him if he saw me taxiing or heard my radio call. The pilot informed me that he had not heard me on the radio and stated that he 'didn't even look left.' The pilot also stated that he thought he had heard the caravan on final. I informed the pilot that he and I were the only two active aircraft on the airfield for the remainder of the day and we have to keep an eye out for each other. The pilot apologized cordially. I believe the problem arose due to haste; complacency; and routine. Contributing factors in the situation were the assumption that the other aircraft saw me before I saw him as well as the routine of entering and exiting the runway threshold numerous times throughout the day. Corrective actions were me slowing my aircraft down to prevent a collision. Other corrective actions were cordially discussing the incident with the other pilot and being more aware of other aviation operations. Human performance considerations to take into account from this situation are situational awareness and always remaining alert to what is happening around the active taxiway and runway. Upon seeing the tailwheel plane exiting the runway; I should not have assumed he saw me and slowed my aircraft down even slower to create a greater margin of safety. However; the other pilot uttered to me the he had not even looked left and I found that to be a great concern but understand how complacency can prevail at times when the routine of day after day is often the same.
C208B pilot reported a ground conflict at HDH when another light aircraft taxied into his path.