# NTSB ATL96LA069: Piper J3C-65, N26046, Nashville, TN, March 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1996, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Nashville, TN - Coordinates: 36.110275, -86.869621 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1103&lon=-86.8696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3711/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA069 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 (aircraft 2) See ATL96LA069A Narrative. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: [N26046](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26046), registered now, S/N 3992, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3992 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N120CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120CC-2003-08-26), registration cancelled 2003-08-26, S/N 28R-7737057, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R7737057 - Airframe hours: 4222 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N26046; age 51; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim. - Pilot, aircraft N120CC; age 49; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960323004871A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323004871A), Mar 23, 1996: Piper J3C65, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. Turning on ramp to allow inbound aircraft to enter ramp. Struck aircraft that was holding on same for traffic. - [Accident 19960323004872A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323004872A), Mar 23, 1996: Piper PA28R201, Nashville, TN, Minor damage. Holding on ramp for taxiway traffic was struck by taxiing aircraft that was turning on ramp to clear same traffic. ## Other investigations on N26046 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI75AC040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75AC040), Nov 9, 1974: Piper J3C-65 (N26046), Pickett, WI, no damage 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.