# NTSB CHI98LA008: Boeing B75N1, N75511, Cloverdale, IN, October 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1997, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Cloverdale, IN - Coordinates: 39.519638, -86.79058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5196&lon=-86.7906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10759/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA008 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the Boeing pilot failed to identify the Waco airplane on the runway before initiating a takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: the restricted forward visibility of both pilots due to the tailwheel configurations of both airplanes. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the Boeing pilot failed to identify the Waco airplane on the runway before initiating a takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: the restricted forward visibility of both pilots due to the tailwheel configurations of both airplanes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), takeoff - roll/run - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - identification of aircraft visually - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - identification of aircraft visually - not obtained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of Waco CTO, NC9577H, had landed and was back taxing on runway 27, and the pilot of Boeing B75N1, N75511, was taking off on runway 27, when a collision of the airplanes occurred. The pilot of NC9577H reported that about half way down the runway, he made an S-turn, and as he was centering the airplane, he heard an engine noise and saw N75511 just before impact. The pilot of N75511 reported that he did not see anyone on the runway or in the traffic pattern before initiating his takeoff. N75511 was equipped with a radio, but NC9577H was not. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of Waco CTO, NC9577H, had landed and was back taxing on runway 27, and the pilot of Boeing B75N1, N75511, was taking off on runway 27, when a collision of the airplanes occurred. The pilot of NC9577H reported that about half way down the runway, he made an S-turn, and as he was centering the airplane, he heard an engine noise and saw N75511 just before impact. The pilot of N75511 reported that he did not see anyone on the runway or in the traffic pattern before initiating his takeoff. N75511 was equipped with a radio, but NC9577H was not. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See Narrative CHI-98-L-A008A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 4, 1997, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Boeing B75N1, N75511, operated by an Airline Transport rated pilot collided with a Waco CTO, NC9577H, operated by a private pilot. The collision occurred as N75511 was taking off on runway 27 and NC9577H was back taxiing on the same runway at Pam's Place Airstrip in Cloverdale, Indiana. The pilot and passenger on N75511 were not injured nor was the pilot and passenger on NC9577H. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either airplane. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot of N75511 reported that he parked facing east in a parking area on the north side of the approach end of runway 27 where he boarded a passenger. He then made a right turn to the west and looked down the airstrip and did not see anyone. He then cleared final and base leg for traffic and without seeing anyone, he lined up on the airstrip for takeoff. He reported he advanced the throttle to full power and a few seconds later his left wing contacted NC9577H. He reported that his airplane ground looped to the left and came to rest heading north. The pilot of NC9577H reported that after a local flight he returned to Pam's Place and landed on runway 27. After landing he turned the airplane to the east to back taxi on the airstrip to the hangar area. He reported that after using about 1,500' of the airstrip he made a S-turn to the south and back to the north. As he was turning back to center he heard an engine noise and saw N75511 just prior to impact. He reported that after the collision his airplane did not move. The left wing of N75511 contacted the left side of NC9577H as they were moving in opposite directions when the collision took place. N75511 was equipped with a radio and NC9577H was not. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N75511 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Boeing B75N1 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7581 - Airframe hours: 4703 - Engines: Continental W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: R&B Aerial Advertising - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: 78I - Airport: 5II0, Pams Place, runway 27, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N9577H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9577H), registered now, S/N A-47, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco CTO - Registry model: [Waco CTO](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-cto) (registry code 9601214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright 760A B D E&ET](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-760a-b-d-e-et) (registry code 67009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A-47 - Airframe hours: 440 - Engines: Wright J6-7 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas S. Lozier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1997, 42 hours before - Airport: 5II0, Pams Place, runway 27, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N75511; age 61; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 28,000 total, 420 in this make and model, 22,001 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N9577H; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 540 total, 440 in this make and model, 515 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 25 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 19971004030051A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971004030051A), Oct 4, 1997: Boeing B75N1, Eminence, IN, Substantial damage. On takeoff collided with N9577H that was back taxiing on same runway. (.4)the pilot of waco cto, NC9577H, had landed and was back taxing on runway 27, and the… - [Accident 19971004030052A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971004030052A), Oct 4, 1997: Waco CTO, Cloverdale, IN, Substantial damage. While back taxiing on 28 collided with N75511 that was departing on same runway. (-23) on October 4, 1997, at approximately 2030 UTC, two aircraft, a… 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.