# NTSB ATL97LA004: Aeronca 65-C, N23927, Angier, NC, October 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1996, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Angier, NC - Coordinates: 35.510196, -78.729278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5102&lon=-78.7293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3793/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA004 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The Aeronca 65's pilots selection of the wrong taxi route, and his inadequate visual lookout during back taxi. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Aeronca 65's pilots selection of the wrong taxi route, and his inadequate visual lookout during back taxi. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), takeoff - roll/run - wrong runway - selected, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Aeronca 65, N23927, had completed a full stop landing and was in the process of back taxiing on the 100-ft-wide runway when it collided with the American AA-1, N5900L, which was on the takeoff roll on the same runway. The collision occurred after the Aeronca pilot executed a right turn in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision. The American AA-1 collided with the left side of the Aeronca. At this airport, the common practice is to back taxi on the side of the active runway. Both pilots reported that runway conditions were excellent, and the sod surface was dry. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Aeronca 65, N23927, had completed a full stop landing and was in the process of back taxiing on the 100-ft-wide runway when it collided with the American AA-1, N5900L, which was on the takeoff roll on the same runway. The collision occurred after the Aeronca pilot executed a right turn in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision. The American AA-1 collided with the left side of the Aeronca. At this airport, the common practice is to back taxi on the side of the active runway. Both pilots reported that runway conditions were excellent, and the sod surface was dry. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR ATL97LA004A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 13, 1996, at 1640 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca C65, N23927, and an American AA-1 N5900L, collided on an uncontrolled sod airstrip near Angier, North Carolina. Both personal flights operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plans filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the Aeronca received serious injuries. The pilot of the American and the other two occupants of both airplanes received minor injuries. The Aeronca departed Raleigh, North Carolina at 1400. The American's exact departure point and departure time were not determined. According to the Aeronca pilot, prior to the collision, he completed a full stop landing on runway 32, and was in the process of back taxiing on the active runway. The Aeronca pilot also stated that he conducted a series of "S" turns as he back taxied to gain better visibility over the nose of the airplane. The American AA-1 was on a takeoff roll from runway 32 when the Aeronca pilot saw the American. The Aeronca pilot executed a right turn in an attempt to avoid the collision. The American AA-1 collided with the left side of the Aeronca. The American AA-1 Pilot stated that the runway surface is wide enough for both aircraft to operate from at the same time. He further stated that the common practice is to back taxi on the side of the runway, that leaves ample room for takeoffs and landings. Both pilots reported that the runway conditions were excellent, and the sod surface was dry. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N23927](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23927-1999-11-04), registration cancelled 1999-11-04, S/N C-4979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-C - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-c) (registry code 0190920) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C4979 - Airframe hours: 2687 - Engines: Continental A-65-3 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kurt J. Kikendall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1996, 3 hours before - Departed: 5W5, RALEIGH, NC - Airport: NONE, Fuquay-Angier, runway 32, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N5900L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5900L-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N AA10200 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American AA-1 - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1-0200 - Airframe hours: 2650 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elmo D. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1996, 25 hours before - Airport: NONE, Fuquay-Angier, runway 32, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N23927; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 2 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N5900L; age 75; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 12 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 19961013032061A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961013032061A), Oct 13, 1996: Trytek 65C, Angier, NC, Substantial damage. Landed. Began back taxi saw a plane taleoff. Tried get off runway, but aircraft collided left side. Wide runway. (-23) aircraft struck by another aircraft… - [Accident 19961013032062A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961013032062A), Oct 13, 1996: Gulstm AA1, Angier, NC, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll collided with a aircraft that was back taxiing on runway after landing. Neither saw other. (-23) aircraft struck another aircraft on… ## Other investigations on N23927 (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 NYC68F0144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0144), Aug 20, 1967: Aeronca 65-C (N23927), Vincentown, NJ, substantial 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.