# NTSB BFO91LA051: Smith, Ted Aerostar STP1, N949Z, Quinton, VA, May 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1991, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Quinton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.530776, -77.109893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5308&lon=-77.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA051

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM A MOVING AIRCRAFT.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING IN THE RAMP AREA HEADED TOWARD THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY FOR RUNWAY 28 WHEN HE STRUCK THE REAR OF ANOTHER MOVING AIRPLANE, A SMITH STP1 BIPLANE.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE IMPACT. THE RIGHT WING STRUT STRUCK THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S RUDDER AND THEN ITS AFT SECTION WITH THE PROPELLER.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING ON THE RAMP HEADED TOWARD THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY FOR RUNWAY 28, WHEN HIS AIRPLANE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER MOVING AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IMPACT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N949Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N949Z), registered now, S/N 1ST64, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar STP1
- Registry model: [Smith STP 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-stp-1) (registry code 056011E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1ST64
- Engines: LYCOMING O 290 D2 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter K. Crawford, Jr.
- Registered owner: Walter K. Crawford
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: W96
- Destination: W96
- Airport: W95, New Kent County, runway 28, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N38272](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38272), registered now, S/N 6898, built 1941 (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 C90-8F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-8f) (registry code 17181, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6898
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter W. Womack
- Registered owner: Peter W. Womack
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: W96
- Destination: W96
- Airport: W95, New Kent County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N949Z; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 750 total
- Pilot, aircraft N38272; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910526063222A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910526063222A), May 26, 1991: Quinton, VA, Substantial damage. While taxiing for takeoff was struck from behind by N38272 that was also taxiing for takeoff.
- [Accident 19910526063221A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910526063221A), May 26, 1991: Piper J3C65, Quinton, VA, Substantial damage. Taxied into tail of homebuilt N949Z also taxiing for takeoff.

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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