# NTSB CHI90LA129: Cecil, Richard C. Starduster II, N85RC, Indianapolis, IN, May 24, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1990, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 39.809497, -86.32962 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8095&lon=-86.3296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 14668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14668/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA129 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE OTHER PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING GROUND TAXI OPERATIONS. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING GROUND TAXI OPERATIONS. THE NATURAL NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE OF THE TAILDRAGGER RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S FORWARD VISIBILTIY, AND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - aircraft parked/standing - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT OF THE (CONVENTIONAL GEAR) BIPLANE REPORTED THAT HE LOOKED FOR TRAFFIC ON THE TAXIWAY BEFORE TAXIING TO REPOSITION HIS AIRCRAFT ON THE AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT HE 'DID NOT SEE ANY AIRCRAFT IN VIEW....PROCEEDED TO TAXI AND SAW THE WING OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT OVER MY NOSE....'THE TAXIING AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CESSNA C152, WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN PREPARATION FOR A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE OF THE TAILDRAGGER RESTRICTED THE TAXIING PILOT'S VISIBILITY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT OF THE (CONVENTIONAL GEAR) BIPLANE REPORTED THAT HE LOOKED FOR TRAFFIC ON THE TAXIWAY BEFORE TAXIING TO REPOSITION HIS AIRCRAFT ON THE AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT HE 'DID NOT SEE ANY AIRCRAFT IN VIEW....PROCEEDED TO TAXI AND SAW THE WING OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT OVER MY NOSE.... 'THE TAXIING AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CESSNA C152, WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN PREPARATION FOR A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE OF THE TAILDRAGGER RESTRICTED THE TAXIING PILOT'S VISIBILITY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N85RC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85RC), registered now, S/N 815, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CECIL, RICHARD C. STARDUSTER II (STARDUSTER) - Registry model: [Cecil Richard C STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/cecil-richard-c-starduster-too) (registry code 86603CW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1a) (registry code 41818, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 815 - Airframe hours: 143 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Cecil, Richard C. - Registered owner: Cecil, Richard C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1990, 39 hours before - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 3SY, Speedway ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N2927X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2927X-2013-11-20), registration cancelled 2013-11-20, S/N 15284251, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA C152 II - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15284251 - Airframe hours: 295 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Indiana Bellanca, Inc. - Registered owner: Jerry Mashino - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 1990, 65 hours before - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 3SY, Speedway ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N85RC; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 38 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N2927X; age 21; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 850 total, 300 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F ## 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 19900524017502A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900524017502A), May 24, 1990: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Indianapolis, IN, Minor damage. Collided with a 152,N2927X,that had just started engine for flight. Nose of tail dragger obscured vision. - [Accident 19900524017501A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900524017501A), May 24, 1990: Cessna 152, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Had just started engine for dual flight when N85RC taxied into wing of his aircraft. Nose of N85RC blocked vision. 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.