well, taking off on the taxiway, not on radio frequency, not looking for incoming traffic...resulted in a midair collision. not far from his home field. it could have been much worse as these types of accidents are usually fatal. his flying days are probably over.
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/528586
https://youtu.be/BSoy6D8AJB8?si=RRJOvDjOGE2rg0jQ&t=301
A Van's RV-8, N926DT, and a Cirrus SR22 G6, N551SG, were involved in a mid-air collision over runway 31 at Hollister Municipal Airport (HLI/KCVH), Hollister, California. The pilot of the Cirrus sustained serious injuries.
Preliminary information indicates the Cirrus was on a straight on approach to runway 31 and the Van's was departing the same runway. Video evidence shows the Van's strike the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cirrus, causing it to pitch down and impact the runway. The Van's remained under control and landed on the remaining runway.
According to one of the airport notes, it is recommended for pilots to begin the runway 31 takeoff roll at or beyond the threshold (past taxiway b).
