# NTSB CEN12LA629: Varga 2150A, N4651V, Clinton, IA, September 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 2012, 19:15 local (Sep 13, 2012, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Clinton, IA - Coordinates: 41.830833, -90.328887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8308&lon=-90.3289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA629 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85023/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85023 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA629 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot of the other airplane failing to adequately monitor for other aircraft while landing. ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot's failure to adequately monitor for other aircraft while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Varga 2150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=9350102), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Varga 2150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9350102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of a Great Lakes biplane was landing when the airplane struck the rear of a Varga airplane that had previously landed and was still on the runway. According to the pilot of the Great Lakes, he did not see the other airplane until the impact occurred. The Varga had completed a straight-in approach following a practice instrument approach. The Great Lakes landed using a left hand traffic pattern approach to landing. FAA regulations state that when two airplanes are approaching to land at the same airport, the airplane at the lower altitude has the right of way. The airport was a non-towered airport, and both pilots reported that they had announced their positions in the airport traffic pattern. Regulations did not prohibit the use of a straight-in approach. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of a Great Lakes biplane was landing when the airplane struck the rear of a Varga airplane that had previously landed and was still on the runway. According to the pilot of the Great Lakes, he did not see the other airplane until the impact occurred. The Varga had completed a straight-in approach following a practice instrument approach. The Great Lakes landed using a left hand traffic pattern approach to landing. FAA regulations state that when two airplanes are approaching to land at the same airport, the airplane at the lower altitude has the right of way. The airport was a non-towered airport, and both pilots reported that they had announced their positions in the airport traffic pattern. Regulations did not prohibit the use of a straight-in approach. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On September 12, 2012, about 1915 central daylight time, a Varga model 2150A, N4651V, was struck from behind by a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 airplane, N3793F, while landing on runway 21 at the Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI), Clinton, Iowa. There were no injuries. The tail of N4651V was severed by the propeller of N3793F. N4651V was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. N3793F was registered to an individual and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Neither airplane was operating on a flight plan. N4651V departed CWI for a local flight about 1810. N3793F departed the Davenport Municipal Airport, Davenport, Iowa, about 1830. The pilot of N4651V reported that he was returning from a local flight and had performed a practice VOR runway 21 instrument approach on his return to the airport. He stated that he made several radio transmissions on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to report his position and intention to land. He stated that he did not hear any transmissions from aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern during his approach to the runway. He reported that after landing he heard a faint transmission on the CTAF frequency "...Clinton, short final...". The pilot reported that he was preparing to exit on a taxiway, and while still on the runway after landing he felt a sudden impact and he applied the brakes as firmly as possible. His airplane continued to move in a direction that resulted in an impact with a runway light and taxiway sign. Upon exiting the airplane he discovered that the tail of his airplane had been almost completely severed. The pilot of N3793F reported that as he approached CWI he made several radio transmissions on the CTAF frequency announcing his position and intention to land. He stated that he heard no radio transmissions from other aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern and entered a left hand traffic pattern for runway 21. He announced his position when he was downwind, base, and final for runway 21. He reported that as the airplane was rolling out after touchdown, he suddenly saw the vertical tail of another airplane coming up his right side. He stated that he did not know that there was another airplane on the runway. N3793F struck the tail and aft fuselage of N4651V. 14 CFR 91.113g states that aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shallnot take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft. CWI was a non-towered airport and regulations did not prohibit use of a straight-in approach for landing at non-towered airports. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On September 12, 2012, about 1915 central daylight time, a Varga model 2150A, N4651V, was struck from behind by a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 airplane, N3793F, while landing on runway 21 at the Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI), Clinton, Iowa. There were no injuries. The tail of N4651V was severed by the propeller of N3793F. N4651V was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. N3793F was registered to an individual and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Neither airplane was operating on a flight plan. N4651V departed CWI for a local flight about 1810. N3793F departed the Davenport Municipal Airport, Davenport, Iowa, about 1830. The pilot of N4651V reported that he was returning from a local flight and had performed a practice VOR runway 21 instrument approach on his return to the airport. He stated that he made several radio transmissions on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to report his position and intention to land. He stated that he did not hear any transmissions from aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern during his approach to the runway. He reported that after landing he heard a faint transmission on the CTAF frequency "...Clinton, short final...". The pilot reported that he was preparing to exit on a taxiway, and while still on the runway after landing he felt a sudden impact and he applied the brakes as firmly as possible. His airplane continued to move in a direction that resulted in an impact with a runway light and taxiway sign. Upon exiting the airplane he discovered that the tail of his airplane had been almost completely severed. The pilot of N3793F reported that as he approached CWI he made several radio transmissions on the CTAF frequency announcing his position and intention to land. He stated that he heard no radio transmissions from other aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern and entered a left hand traffic pattern for runway 21. He announced his position when he was downwind, base, and final for runway 21. He reported that as the airplane was rolling out after touchdown, he suddenly saw the vertical tail of another airplane coming up his right side. He stated that he did not know that there was another airplane on the runway. N3793F struck the tail and aft fuselage of N4651V. 14 CFR 91.113g states that aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shallnot take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft. CWI was a non-towered airport and regulations did not prohibit use of a straight-in approach for landing at non-towered airports. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4651V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4651V-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N VAC-101-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VARGA AIRCRAFT CORP. 2150A - Registry model: [Varga 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2150a) (registry code 9350102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: VAC-101-78 - Airframe hours: 1799 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2012 - Departed: CWI, Clinton, IA - Destination: CWI, Clinton, IA - Airport: CWI, Clinton Municipal Airport, runway 21, 5,204 × 100 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N3793F (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T-1A-2 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0767 - Airframe hours: 1591 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2012 - Departed: DVN, Davenport, IA - Destination: CWI, Clinton, IA - Airport: CWI, Clinton Municipal Airport, runway 21, 5,204 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4651V; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 2,440 total, 51 in this make and model, 2,219 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N3793F; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,496 total, 360 in this make and model, 1,496 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: CWI ## 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 20120912020641A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120912020641A), Sep 12, 2012: Varga Aircraft Corp. 2150A, Clinton, IA, Destroyed. The pilot of N4651V had just landed and was exiting the runway when he heard a loud bang and attempted to stop his aircraft to see what happened. He was unable… - [Accident 20120912020631A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120912020631A), Sep 12, 2012: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, Clinton, IA, Minor damage. The pilot of N3793F was landing on rwy 21 at Clinton, IA airport and had decided to land long so he wouldn't have FAR to taxi. Upon touchdown he impacted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85023. 5.1 MB in all. - N4651V - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N4651V%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - N3793F - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N3793F%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.