Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 37; Flight Crew Total 5324
Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
I called ground ready to taxi from the ramp to the active runway for an Eastbound VFR departure. I was given instructions to taxi to runway XX via taxiways Bravo; Echo; and Charlie and to cross runway XY. As I was in left turn from taxiway Echo onto Charlie; another aircraft; a high wing single engine; collided with my airplane from the right side. That airplane had been taxiing Northeast bound on taxiway Charlie. I shut down and notified ZZZ ground of the collision; and assistance was sent. I was unaware another aircraft was in my vicinity; approaching the same runway I was; traveling northeast bound on taxiway Charlie. I received no warning from ZZZ ground control of conflicting traffic nor was I issued any 'hold short' clearances. Apparently; from talking to the other pilot; the other aircraft was not either. Contributing Factors: The Echo and Charlie taxiways at ZZZ intersect at a less than ninety degree angle. The Aircraft I was flying also has large blind spots out of the sides due to the engines; propellers; spinners; and a large pillar between the windscreen and side windows. This makes it difficult to see traffic approaching from certain angles both in the air; and on the ground. Adding to the contributing factors; The tower at this airport has combined Ground and Clearance Delivery to one controller on the same frequency. I believe this is because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Normally; Clearance Delivery and Ground control are handled by two different controllers on different frequencies. This particular airport is still quite busy with traffic during this pandemic; adding to the controllers workload. Several lessons come to mind that we are all taught from the time we begin flying. Be vigilant. Keep your eyes outside. Check your blind spots. Check them again. keep your scan going. Controllers are busy. Airplanes may not be where they are supposed to be; or where they say they are. Listen to what else is happening on the frequency.
Captain reported a collision during taxi with conflicting traffic at taxiway intersection.