# NTSB ATL94LA139: Taylorcraft 15A, N70BL, Dobson, NC, July 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1994, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Dobson, NC
- Coordinates: 36.394421, -80.720324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3944&lon=-80.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA139

## Probable cause

THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF A RUNWAY IN USE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - vehicle
  - procedures/directives - improper, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD STARTED HIS INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB WHEN A TRUCK PULLED ON TO THE SOD RUNWAY AND STOPPED. AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE, THE AIRCRAFT LEFT WINGTIP STRUCK THE VEHICLE; THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1994, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft 15A, N70BL, collided with a truck while attempting a takeoff from a private airstrip near Dobson, North Carolina. The personal  flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the collision. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the person in the truck received minor injuries and the pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt.

According to the pilot, the collision occurred at the intersection of the runway and a road used to cross the sod runway. The pilot reported that, the driver of the truck wandered onto the runway and stopped. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot swerved, but the left wing struck the rear of the vehicle. After the collision, the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest on the sod runway. The pilot/owner of the private airstrip stated that putting signs on the building adjacent to the runway would alert vehicle operators of airplanes operating from the airstrip, and to use caution when crossing the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70BL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70BL), registered now, S/N 5-14010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT 15A
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft 15A](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-15a) (registry code 8850702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-14010
- Airframe hours: 650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baker, Newell E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1994, 2 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 9, 1,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19940715020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940715020249A), Jul 15, 1994: Tcraft 15A, Dobson, NC, Substantial damage. Truck on service road that crossed runway stopped on strip. Pilot on takeoff tried avoid but wing struck truck.

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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