# NTSB ATL91FA108: Cessna T37B, N120DB, Chickamauga, GA, June 7, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1991, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Chickamauga, GA - Coordinates: 34.86922, -85.289726 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8692&lon=-85.2897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal, 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA108 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE T-37 PILOT MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE A-26. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE T-37 PILOT MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE A-26. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, cruise - normal - clearance - misjudged, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A T-37 AND AN A-26 COLLIDED IN FLIGHT AT 9500 FEET MSL WHILE PRACTICING AN ACROBATIC MANEUVER. THE MANEUVER REQUIRED THE T-37 TO PASS UNDER THE RIGHT WING OF THE A-26, AND TERMINATE THE MANEUVER WITH A ROLL. ACCORDING TO THE A-26 PILOT, THE FIRST FLY-BY WAS COMPLETED OUTBOARD THE RIGHT WING WITHOUT INCIDENT. BUT, ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE A-26 PILOT NOTICED THAT THE RUDDER AND A PORTION OF THE RIGHT RUDDER AND HORIZONTAL STABILATOR WERE MISSING AS THE AIRPLANE EMERGED FROM BENEATH THE RIGHT WING. EXAMINATION OF THE A-26 AND RECOVERED COMPONENTS INDICATED CRUSH AND IMPACT DAMAGE FROM CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT PROPELLER OF THE A26. THE A-37 CRASHED AND BURNED. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A T-37 AND AN A-26 COLLIDED IN FLIGHT AT 9500 FEET MSL WHILE PRACTICING AN ACROBATIC MANEUVER. THE MANEUVER REQUIRED THE T-37 TO PASS UNDER THE RIGHT WING OF THE A-26, AND TERMINATE THE MANEUVER WITH A ROLL. ACCORDING TO THE A-26 PILOT, THE FIRST FLY-BY WAS COMPLETED OUTBOARD THE RIGHT WING WITHOUT INCIDENT. BUT, ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE A-26 PILOT NOTICED THAT THE RUDDER AND A PORTION OF THE RIGHT RUDDER AND HORIZONTAL STABILATOR WERE MISSING AS THE AIRPLANE EMERGED FROM BENEATH THE RIGHT WING. EXAMINATION OF THE A-26 AND RECOVERED COMPONENTS INDICATED CRUSH AND IMPACT DAMAGE FROM CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT PROPELLER OF THE A26. THE A-37 CRASHED AND BURNED. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N120DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120DB-1993-12-16), registration cancelled 1993-12-16, S/N 563480C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T37B - Registry model: [Cessna-Brady T-37B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-brady-t-37b) (registry code 2074322) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 563480C40053 - Engines: CONTINENTAL J69-25A 1200 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brady, David F. - Registered owner: Brady, David F. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, May 18, 1991 - Departed: GAO, CARTERSVILLE, GA - Destination: RNC, MCMINNVILLE, TN ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N9150 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: DOUGLAS A-26B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28045 - Airframe hours: 7665 - Engines: P&W R-2800-79 2000 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brady, David F. - Registered owner: Brady, David F. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, December 26, 1990, 30 hours before - Departed: GAO, CARTERSVILLE, GA - Destination: RNC, MCMINNVILLE, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N120DB; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total - Pilot, aircraft N9150; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 60 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 25 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 19910607020381A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910607020381A), Jun 7, 1991: Cessna T37B, Chickamauga, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Making pass under N9150 was struck by its right propeller. Broke up in flight,crashed and burned. Other landed safely - [Accident 19910607020382A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910607020382A), Jun 7, 1991: Doug A26BSHIELDS, Chickamauga, GA, Minor damage. Flight of two. Right prop was struck by N120DB that was making a pass under his aircraft. T37 broke up in flight. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.