- Date
- September 23, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place
- Bealeton, VA
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Aircraft
- N9279de Havilland DH-82AN57015Ryan ST3KR
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 15, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19900923041632A19900923041631A
- Case key
- 11613
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 pilot's failure to maintain a vigilent watch for other aircraft operating on the uncontrolled airport. The uneven terrain on the airport restricted visibility and contributed to the accident. Another contributing factor was the improper signals given by the ground flagman.
The pilot's failure to maintain a vigilent watch for other aircraft operating on the uncontrolled airport. The uneven terrain on the airport restricted visibility and contributed to the accident. Another contributing factor was the improper signals given by the ground flagman.
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 pilot reported that he was waiting to depart the airstrip for a brief local flight. He stated that he was holding in response to signals from a ground flagman who was positioned to 'see aircraft at the intersection of the two runways and signal the departing pilot when the runway is clear for his takeoff.' Use of the ground flagman was described as standard procedure at the uncontrolled grass strip because of a crest in the runway which restricted visibility. The pilot stated that he saw two aircraft land on the intersecting runway, but lost sight of one of the aircraft as it taxied. The ground flagman signalled the ryan pilot to takeoff; he began his takeoff roll, and collided with the taxiing aircraft at a point approximately 100 feet from the intersection of the runways. Neither pilot saw the other aircraft until after the collision.
The pilot stated that after a brief local flight, he landed to the north on the north-south grass strip. The aircraft rolled out and the pilot turned left onto the diagonal grass strip, and began to taxi southeastbound toward his hangar. He reported that 'as I taxied along the side of the runway, the ryan on takeoff...hit me. I never saw him.' He also stated that the pilot of the ryan never saw him, and attributed this to a crest in the runway. The ryan pilot stated that he received a signal from the ground flagman indicating that he was cleared to begin his takeoff roll.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N9279
- Reported as
- de Havilland DH-82A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- A17-64
- Airframe hours
- 5,230
- Engine
- UNKNOWN, 130 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- John R. Frizzell
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 1, 1990 · 55 hours before
- Airport
- 3VA3 · Flying Circus Aerodrome, runway 33, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Registration
- N57015
- Reported as
- Ryan ST3KR
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2042
- Airframe hours
- 1,727
- Engine
- UNKNOWN, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Robert M. Orr
- Registered owner
- Norbob, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 15, 1990 · 53 hours before
- Airport
- 3VA3 · Flying Circus Aerodrome, runway 33, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf
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 N9279
- Age
- 69
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 1,714 total · 1,250 in this make and model
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N57015
- Age
- 58
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 20,000 total · 600 in this make and model · 18,000 as pilot in command · 215 in the last 90 days · 67 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 310° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- IAD, 20 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.