# NTSB ATL91LA181: Piper PA-38-112, N26004, Lagrange, GA, September 26, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 1991, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Lagrange, GA - Coordinates: 33.039791, -85.119857 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0398&lon=-85.1199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA181 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE J-5 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE OTHER PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft parked/standing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A J-5 AND PA-38-112 COLLIDED ON A TAXIWAY WHILE PREPARING FOR VISUAL DEPARTURES FROM THE SAME RUNWAY. THE PA-38 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT WERE CONDUCTING A BEFORE TAKEOFF RUNUP WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE COLLISION WAS POSSIBLE. THE PA-38 PILOTS ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE COLLISION BUT WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE TAXIWAY BEFORE THE COLLISION. ACCORDING TO THE J-5 PILOT, HE WAS NOT 'S' TURNING, WHICH IS A NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR TAXIING CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANES, AND FAILED TO SEE THE PIPER IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A J-5 AND PA-38-112 COLLIDED ON A TAXIWAY WHILE PREPARING FOR VISUAL DEPARTURES FROM THE SAME RUNWAY. THE PA-38 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT WERE CONDUCTING A BEFORE TAKEOFF RUNUP WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE COLLISION WAS POSSIBLE. THE PA-38 PILOTS ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE COLLISION BUT WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE TAXIWAY BEFORE THE COLLISION. ACCORDING TO THE J-5 PILOT, HE WAS NOT 'S' TURNING, WHICH IS A NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR TAXIING CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANES, AND FAILED TO SEE THE PIPER IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N26004](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26004-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 38-81A0091, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-81A0091 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lagrange Flying Club - Registered owner: Lagrange Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 28, 1991, 30 hours before - Airport: LGC, Lagrange-Callaway, runway 31, 3,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N67174](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67174), registered now, S/N 76-397, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON L-5 - Registry model: [Stinson L-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5) (registry code 8630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 76-397 - Airframe hours: 2581 - Engines: LYCOMING O-435C 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wilson, Michael W - Registered owner: Wilson, Michael W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1990, 15 hours before - Departed: LGC, LAGRANGE, GA - Destination: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA - Airport: LGC, Lagrange-Callaway, runway 31, 5,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N26004; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 725 total, 108 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N67174; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 996 total, 120 in this make and model, 916 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LGC, 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 19910926045332A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926045332A), Sep 26, 1991: Piper PA38112, La Grange, GA, Substantial damage. While running up engine on taxiway was struck by N67174 that was taxiing for takeoff on same taxiway. - [Accident 19910926045331A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926045331A), Sep 26, 1991: Stnson L5, La Grange, GA, Substantial damage. Taxiing for takeoff collided with N26004 that was doing run up on same taxiway. Failed to s turn and see N26004. 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.