On Tue, 20 May 2008 14:46:17 -0700 (PDT), Tina
wrote in
:

Most times at uncontrolled airports we visit or use, the airplanes
waiting to take off usually are facing the downwind direction, or are
at least parked 45 degrees toward the incoming traffic for improved
visibility. Is that not common?

If I recall correctly, there were a line of trees at the airport
boundary that may have obscured the aircraft from each other. But
aircraft that decline to participate in broadcasting their positions
on CTAF at uncontrolled fields are hazards. I have no idea if radio
communications were being used by either of the two aircraft involved
in this mishap.