- Date
- March 23, 1996, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place
- Nashville, TN
- Injuries
- 5 uninjured
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 16, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19960323004871A19960323004872A
- Case key
- 3711
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
the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course.
the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course.
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 Piper PA-28, N120CC, and the Piper J3C, N26046, were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The C-172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the C-172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.
The Piper PA-28, N120CC, and the Piper J3C, N26046, were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The C-172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the C-172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.
Factual narrative
See ATL96LA069A Narrative.
On March 23, 1996, about 1620 central standard time a Piper J3C-65, N26046, and a Piper PA-28R-201, N120CC, collided while both airplanes were taxiing for takeoff at the John C. Tune Airport, Nashville, Tennessee. Both airplanes were operated by the pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Both pilots, and the three passengers of the Piper PA-28, were not injured. The J3 sustained substantial damage and the PA-28 had minor damage. Both flights were preparing to depart the airport at the time of the accident. The J3 and PA-28 were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area, he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The 172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway, back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the 172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.
The pilot of the J3 indicated his airplane did not experience any brake failure.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N26046
- Reported as
- Piper J3C-65
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 3992
- Engine
- Continental C65, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- William J. Ivey
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- JWN
- Airport
- JWN · John C. Tune
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
- N120CC
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-201
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28R7737057
- Airframe hours
- 4,222
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-360-C1C6, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Edgar T. Savidge
- Registered owner
- Club Cherokee, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · January 15, 1996 · 83 hours before
- Departed
- JWN
- Airport
- JWN · John C. Tune
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 N26046
- Age
- 51
- Certificates
- Private, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N120CC
- Age
- 49
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 879 total · 175 in this make and model · 879 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 52 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- JWN
FAA reports on this event · 2
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N26046 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.