# NTSB ATL94LA083: Cessna 172K, N711GT, Spartanburg, SC, April 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 1994, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Spartanburg, SC - Coordinates: 35.039699, -81.980941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0397&lon=-81.9809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA083 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - other - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - qualification, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - aircraft moving on ground - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172K, N711GT TAXIED ONTO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. HE FAILED TO SEE THE PITTS S-2B, N83TH, ON FINAL APPROACH FOR THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO HIS TAXIING ONTO THE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT OF THE PITTS STATED THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE CESSNA TAXI ONTO THE RUNWAY AS A RESULT OF THE POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY IN THE PITTS. THE PITTS STRUCK THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE OF THE CESSNA DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE TWO AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA DID NOT POSSESS EITHER A VALID PILOT CERTIFICATE NOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172K, N711GT TAXIED ONTO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. HE FAILED TO SEE THE PITTS S-2B, N83TH, ON FINAL APPROACH FOR THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO HIS TAXIING ONTO THE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT OF THE PITTS STATED THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE CESSNA TAXI ONTO THE RUNWAY AS A RESULT OF THE POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY IN THE PITTS. THE PITTS STRUCK THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE OF THE CESSNA DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE TWO AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA DID NOT POSSESS EITHER A VALID PILOT CERTIFICATE NOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See ATL94LA083A for narrative statement. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On April 17, 1994, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Pitts S-2B, N83TH, and a Cessna 172, N711GT collided on Runway 22 at the Spartanburg Airport, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Neither the private pilot of the Pitts, his passenger, nor, the non certificated pilot of the Cessna were injured in the accident. Both aircraft were being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by their respective pilots. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plans were filed for either aircraft. The Pitts had departed the Spartanburg Airport earlier in the day for a flight in the local area. The Cessna was in the process of taking off for a flight to Lincolnton, Georgia. The pilot of the Pitts stated that at the time of his turn from base to final approach, the Cessna was holding short of the runway. Due to the limited forward visibility of the aircraft during final approach, he did not see the Cessna taxi onto the runway. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after another aircraft landed, he taxied onto the runway for departure. He stated that he did not see the Pitts on final approach for the runway, and that he did not hear the Pitts on the radio. The pilot of the Cessna did not possess a valid pilot certificate or medical certificate. The pilot/operator of the Pitts failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N711GT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711GT), registered now, S/N 17258811, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258811 - Airframe hours: 7376 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pennington, Weems R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993, 176 hours before - Destination: LINCOLNTON, GA - Airport: SPA, Spartanburg Downtown Apt., runway 22, 5,203 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N83TH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83TH), registered now, S/N 5093 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-2B - Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5093 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hames, Randall K. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Airport: SPA, Spartanburg Downtown Apt., runway 22, 5,203 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N711GT; age 76; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command - Pilot, aircraft N83TH; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SPA, 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 19940417007971A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940417007971A), Apr 17, 1994: Cessna 172K, Spartanburg, SC, Substantial damage. Taxied onto runway with plane on final. Hit left wing and fuselage of aircraft on final flare. No license or medical - [Accident 19940417007972A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940417007972A), Apr 17, 1994: Pitts S2B, Spartanburg, SC, Substantial damage. Other aircraft taxied onto runway. Failed to see N83TH on final. Plane hit his wing and fuselage. 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.