- Date
- July 1, 1990, 17:23 local (22:23 UTC)
- Place
- Florence, AL
- Injuries
- 4 fatal
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 21, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19900701022981A19900701022982A
- Case key
- 8138
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot-in-command of N2409K to maintain safe separation from N2437K during unauthorized formation maneuvering. Overconfidence in personal ability and the execution of unauthorized formation flight on the part of both pilots-in-command were factors in the accident. The lack of total experience of both pilots-in-command was also a factor in the accident.
Failure of the pilot-in-command of N2409K to maintain safe separation from N2437K during unauthorized formation maneuvering. Overconfidence in personal ability and the executive of unauthorized formation flight on the part of both pilots-in-command were factors in the accident. The lack of total experience of both pilots-in-command was also a factor in the accident.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilots of two similar PA-38-112 airplanes were filed for separate VFR cross country flights. After an intermediate stopover at an airport away from home base, the two airplanes joined up and began flying in formation. According to a witness, the trailing airplane (N2409K) collided with the leading airplane (N2437K) from the rear while maneuvering. Impact, paint and rubber transfer marks indicated that N2409K collided with N2437K from the rear, right side. The flight school from which the pilots were enrolled expressly prohibited formation flying of any type. The pic's of each airplane had logged about 118 hours each prior to the accident, and had received their pilot certificates the month prior to the accident. The pilots and pilot rated passengers were all spanish citizens.
The pilots of two similar PA-38-112 airplanes were filed for separate VFR cross country flights. After an intermediate stopover at an airport away from home base, the two airplanes joined up and began flying in formation. According to a witness, the trailing airplane (N2409K) collided with the leading airplane (N2437K) from the rear while maneuvering. Impact, paint and rubber transfer marks indicated that N2409K collided with N2437K from the rear, right side. The flight school from which the pilots were enrolled expressly prohibited formation flying of any type. The pic's of each airplane had logged about 118 hours each prior to the accident, and had received their pilot certificates the month prior to the accident. The pilots and pilot rated passengers were all spanish citizens.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N2409K
- Reported as
- Piper PA-38-112
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 38-79A0620
- Airframe hours
- 7,138
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-L2C, 112 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Bolivar Aircraft Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · June 14, 1990 · 25 hours before
- Departed
- HSV · Huntsville, AL
- Destination
- M08 · Bolivar, TN
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
- Registration
- N2437K
- Reported as
- Piper PA-38-112
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 38-79A0634
- Airframe hours
- 6,500
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-L2C, 112 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Bolivar Aircrat Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · June 11, 1990 · 20 hours before
- Departed
- HSV · Huntsville, AL
- Destination
- M08 · Bolivar, TN
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N2409K
- Age
- 27
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 118 total · 5 in this make and model · 42 as pilot in command · 86 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N2437K
- Age
- 22
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 118 total · 5 in this make and model · 47 as pilot in command · 118 in the last 90 days · 46 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 91 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.89 inHg
- Observed at
- MSL, 8 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.