# NTSB ANC20LA003: Cessna 208, N926FE, Honolulu, HI, October 31, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 31, 2019, 13:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.313055, -157.925277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3131&lon=-157.9253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100520/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100520
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA003

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the Cessna's failure to set the parking brake before diverting his attention inside the airplane, which resulted in his airplane colliding with the airplane ahead of it on the taxiway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of a Cessna 208B airplane reported that, during taxi to the runway for departure, his airplane was positioned approximately 50 ft behind another airplane holding for departure. He added that, he set the condition lever at low idle, and the power lever was set all the way aft to idle. He said he then set the parking brake before diverting his attention to inside of the airplane. Shortly after, he was startled by a noise and vibration, looked up, and realized his airplane had taxied into the airplane in front of him. A postaccident examination of the Cessna 208B by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the brake system that would have precluded normal operation. Given the absence of any mechanical issues with the Cessna 208B's brake system, it is likely the pilot inadvertently failed to set the parking brake before diverting his attention inside the airplane, and the airplane subsequently collided with the airplane ahead.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On October 31, 2019, about 1300 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N926FE, and a Cessna 172, N274MM sustained damage during a ground collision at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport (HNL) Honolulu, Hawaii. The Cessna 208 sustained minor damage and the Cessna 172 sustained substantial damage. The solo commercial pilot of N926FE, and private pilot and passenger of N274MM were not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and N926FE had filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, and N274MM had no flight plan filed. N926FE was registered to Federal Express Corporation and operated by Corporate Air as flight 8974, an on-demand flight under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. N274MM was owned privately and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot of N926FE reported that, during taxi to the runway for departure, his airplane was number two on taxiway "C" Charlie holding for runway 26R. He positioned approximately 50 feet behind N274MM (the number one holding airplane for departure), the condition lever was set at low idle and the power lever was set all the way aft at idle. He then set the parking brake before diverting his attention from outside of the airplane to inside of the cockpit. While his attention was inside of the airplane, he was startled by a noise and vibration. He looked up and realized his airplane had taxied into N274MM. He then shut his airplane down, radioed the control tower to report the collision, and all occupants exited their airplanes. The pilot of N274MM reported that, while holding for departure, his airplane was struck from behind by N926FE. He added that, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with N274MM that would have precluded normal operation. As a result of the ground collision, N274MM sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, and left flap. A postaccident examination of N926FE by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane braking system that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N926FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N926FE), registered now, S/N 208B0026, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 208 (B)
- Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208B0026
- Year built: 1987
- Airframe hours: 13738.7
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Corporate Air
- Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 16, 2019
- Departed: HNL, Honolulu, HI
- Destination: LIH, Lihue, HI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HNL, Daniel K Inouye Intl
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Video recording device, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N274MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N274MM), registered now, S/N 172S9320, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (S)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S9320
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HNL, Honolulu, HI
- Destination: HNL, Honolulu, HI
- Airport: HNL, Daniel K Inouye Intl
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N926FE; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 940 in this make and model, 1,279 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N274MM; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 405 total, 340 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: PHNL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20191031022242A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191031022242A), Oct 31, 2019: Cessna 208B, Honolulu, HI, Minor damage. Ground collision between two aircraft. Aircraft N274MM was stopped on taxiway c and second in in line at hold short for runway 26R. Aircraft N926FE taxied into…
- [Accident 20191031020522A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191031020522A), Oct 31, 2019: Cessna 172S, Honolulu, HI, Substantial damage. Ground collision between two aircraft. Aircraft N274MM was stopped on taxiway c and second in in line at hold short for runway 26R. Aircraft N926FE taxied into…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100520. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N926FE) (item 1, .PDF, 529 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N926FE)-Master.PDF
- PIC Statement (N926FE) (item 2, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PIC%20Statement%20(N926FE)-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N274MM) (item 3, .PDF, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N274MM)-Master.PDF
- FAA Email (item 4, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Email-Master.PDF
- SMS OPS Bulletin (item 5, .PDF, 780 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SMS%20OPS%20Bulletin-Master.PDF
- Accident Pictures (item 6, .PDF, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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