# NTSB CHI99FA266: Chance Vought F4U-4, N712RD, Oshkosh, WI, July 29, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1999, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Location: 43.9851° N, 88.5370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WITTMAN RGNL (OSH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9851&lon=-88.5370&mi=10 - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99FA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA266 ## Probable cause (aircraft 3) The pilot of the other airplane not following the instructions briefed by the formation leader, and the pilot's maneuvering his airplane to avoid the airplane in front of him. ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of the other airplane not following the instructions briefed by the formation leader, and clearance not maintained by the pilot of the other airplane. A factor relating to this accident was the area of restricted visibility in front of the pilot of the other airplane when the airplane sits on its tailwheel. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot not following the instructions briefed by the formation leader, and the pilot not maintaining clearance from the formation lead airplane. A factor relating to this accident was the area of restricted visibility in front of the pilot when the airplane sits on its tailwheel. ## Analysis (aircraft 3) The three airplanes were part of a formation demonstration flight of eight World War II Navy fighters, divided into four sections of two airplanes each, that had been cleared to takeoff from runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention, 'AirVenture 99'. Air traffic control clearance for the departing aircraft had been relinquished from the FAA tower to a local 'air boss'. The air boss had cleared all of the airplanes to takeoff as a flight. Witnesses saw the lead airplane, a Bearcat, N14HP, and his wingman, taxi down runway 18 approximately 1,400 feet, turn toward the southwest and stop. Approximately 4 seconds later, the lead airplane in the second section, a Corsair, N712RD, collided into N14HP severing the Corsair's left wing, and the Bearcat's right wing. The Corsair continued down the runway, rolling over on it's left side, came apart, and burst into flames. The remains of the Corsair came to rest in a field east of the runway, approximately 2,000 feet down. The Bearcat was turned approximately 180 degrees and came to rest on the runway's east edge. A second Corsair, the wingman of N712RD, veered off of the west side of runway 18, sustaining substantial damage to it's left wing. Examination of all three airplanes revealed no anomalies. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The three airplanes were part of a formation demonstration flight of eight World War II Navy fighters, divided into four sections of two airplanes each, that had been cleared to takeoff from runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention, 'AirVenture 99'. Air traffic control clearance for the departing aircraft had been relinquished from the FAA tower to a local 'air boss'. The air boss had cleared all of the airplanes to takeoff as a flight. Witnesses saw the lead airplane, a Bearcat, N14HP, and his wingman, taxi down runway 18 approximately 1,400 feet, turn toward the southwest and stop. Approximately 4 seconds later, the lead airplane in the second section, a Corsair, N712RD, collided into N14HP severing the Corsair's left wing, and the Bearcat's right wing. The Corsair continued down the runway, rolling over on it's left side, came apart, and burst into flames. The remains of the Corsair came to rest in a field east of the runway, approximately 2,000 feet down. The Bearcat was turned approximately 180 degrees and came to rest on the runway's east edge. A second Corsair, the wingman of N712RD, veered off of the west side of runway 18, sustaining substantial damage to it's left wing. Examination of all three airplanes revealed no anomalies. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The three airplanes were part of a formation demonstration flight of eight World War II Navy fighters, divided into four sections of two airplanes each, that had been cleared to takeoff from runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention, 'AirVenture 99'. Air traffic control clearance for the departing aircraft had been relinquished from the FAA tower to a local 'air boss'. The air boss had cleared all of the airplanes to takeoff as a flight. Witnesses saw the lead airplane, a Bearcat, N14HP, and his wingman, taxi down runway 18 approximately 1,400 feet, turn toward the southwest and stop. Approximately 4 seconds later, the lead airplane in the second section, a Corsair, N712RD, collided into N14HP severing the Corsair's left wing, and the Bearcat's right wing. The Corsair continued down the runway, rolling over on it's left side, came apart, and burst into flames. The remains of the Corsair came to rest in a field east of the runway, approximately 2,000 feet down. The Bearcat was turned approximately 180 degrees and came to rest on the runway's east edge. A second Corsair, the wingman of N712RD, veered off of the west side of runway 18, sustaining substantial damage to it's left wing. Examination of all three airplanes revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 3) SEE NARRATIVE OF CHI99FA266A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE OF CHI99FA266A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 29, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time (cdt), a Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair, N712RD, operated by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed when it collided with a Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat, N14HP, which was positioned on the east edge of runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, approximately 1,400 feet from the departure end. The F8F-1 was substantially damaged in the collision. At the time of the collision, the F8F-1, N14HP, was stationary on the runway with its engine at idle power. The F4U-4, N712RD, was at full power on takeoff roll and struck the F8F-1 from behind. A Chance Vought F4U-5 Corsair, N179PT, on takeoff roll in formation with N712RD, sustained substantial damage when the pilot saw a second Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat positioned on the runway in front of his airplane, and elected to steer his airplane off of the runway to avoid the other airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot of the F4U-4, N712RD, was seriously injured. The pilot of the F8F-1, N14HP, reported no injuries. The pilot of the F4U-5, N179PT, received minor injuries. The flights were being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and were not on a flight plan. The three airplanes were part of a formation demonstration flight of eight airplanes in four sections of two airplanes each, that had been cleared to takeoff together from runway 18. The accident occurred at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention "AirVenture 99" in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Air traffic control clearance for departing aircraft had been relinquished from the FAA tower to a local "air boss" who was a member of the Warbirds of America. The air boss confirmed that he had cleared all of the airplanes to takeoff as a flight. At 1449:14 cdt, the Navy Flight leader (the pilot of N14HP), checked in with the warbird air boss on 126.6 Megahertz (mhz), and requested "a little more time" to get all of the airplanes in the flight onto the runway to perform their respective engine run-ups. The air boss responded that he's put the flight on the runway following the launch of a flight consisting of T-34's and a flight made up of Mustangs. At 1454:34 cdt, the air boss asked the Navy Flight leader how long it would take the flight to do their run-ups. The flight leader responded, "just a couple of minutes." He then corrected his statement by interjecting, "How about one minute?" The air boss responded, "whatever you need." At 1456:19 cdt, the air boss told the Navy Flight leader, "go ahead and take position on the P-51 (Mustang) to get yourself out on the runway and do your run-up, and then take interval on the P-51, which should already be airborne, you're cleared for takeoff also." The Navy Flight leader responded, "Ah Navy Wilco". Witnesses on the ground reported that the first section, composed of the two F8F-1, Bearcats (N14HP and N2209), taxied down runway 18, turned toward the southwest, and stopped, and the lead airplane in the second section, composed of the F4U-4 (N712RD) and the F4U-5 (N179PT), overran the first section, while the two airplanes were still on the runway. The flight leader and pilot of the F8F-1, N14HP, said that all of the airplanes in the flight were briefed to taxi onto the runway and then do their engine run-ups. The pilot said he taxied down the runway to the 6,000 foot remaining marker and parked on the edge of the runway, turning the airplane to a heading of 240 degrees, into the wind. "I hadn't started my run-up. I was waiting for everyone to get on the runway. I didn't see him (N712RD) coming." Just then the pilot in the number 5 airplane yelled out over the radio "watch out. That's when he (N712RD) hit me. I spun around 180 degrees onto the grass. I watched him go down the runway and become a horror story." The pilot of the number two Bearcat (N2209) said that he taxied down the runway with the flight leader, taking a position left of the runway centerline, and turned his airplane so that the nose was almost pointed into the wind. The pilot said that he had just gotten stationary, when he heard the engine noise from the approaching Corsairs. He said that he say a "flash of blue" pass by him on his left side. He then saw the Corsair (N712RD) "go airborne and break up. After [seeing] the flash of blue, and the hit, and the Corsair coming apart, I heard another one (airplane) coming, and [saw it] go by me on my right side. I then saw the other Corsair go off into the grass." The pilot of the number four airplane (N179PT) and second airplane of the second section said that he and his section leader, the pilot of N712RD, started onto the runway. Once on the runway, the pilot said the section leader stopped and turned 45 degrees [pointing into the wind]. "Then we squared and went parallel [to the runway]. I assumed that he was clearing the runway. The Bearcats were so far down, about 1,200 feet. I locked my tailwheel, got the run-up signal, the head nod , and released brakes." The pilot said that his section leader's airplane accelerated faster than his did. "[I] rolled about 1,000 feet, working my wing position on his. Then I saw something that didn't look right." The pilot said he saw the two Bearcats in front of him. "I came off power and stomped right rudder and departed the runway. I saw pieces flying all over the place." The pilot said his airplane ran over the arresting gear housing, and went into the air for a distance of 60 feet. "The left wing of the airplane struck the grass. The left wheel came down first, then the right, and then I'm back up on the runway. I had it under control. Then I saw the fire and wreckage." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot of the F4U-4, N712RD, held an airline transport pilot certificate for single and multi-engine land airplanes, with commercial privileges for single-engine sea airplanes and private privileges for rotorcraft and glider aero tow. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, at the pilot's last flight physical, dated March 26, 1999, he reported having 8,000 total flying hours. The pilot of the F8F-1, N14HP, held a commercial pilot certificate for single and multi-engine, instrument airplanes. The pilot reported having 13,001.7 total flying hours, and 1,420.5 hours in the F8F-1. The pilot reported completing a biennial flight review in May, 1998. The pilot of the F4U-5, N179PT, held a commercial pilot certificate for single and multi-engine land, instrument airplanes, single-engine seaplanes, helicopters, and gliders. The pilot reported having 3,630 total flying hours, and 48 hours in the F4U-5. The pilot reported completing a biennial flight review on May 27, 1999 in the F4U-5. All three pilots were qualified to fly formation in airshow- waivered airspace through a self-regulating program sponsored by the Warbirds of America and Formation And Safety Training, or F.A.S.T. The pilot of the F8F-1, N14HP, was also qualified as a flight leader. All three of the pilots had flown in a similar formation together on the day prior to the accident, in the same positions, as they were briefed for the flight in which the accident occurred. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The F4U-4, N712RD, was a flying, museum-quality airplane, owned and operated by Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Incorporated, Addison, Texas. The airplane was used predominately as a static display museum attraction. The airplane was also used to perform formation flying displays at airshows around the United States, which featured World War II-era airplanes. The airplane operated under a special airworthiness certificate, experimental category, for exhibition purposes. The airplane had undergone an annual condition inspection on November 12, 1998. The total airframe time at the time of the condition inspection was 2,330.5 hours. At the time of the accident, the airframe time was 2,345 ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N712RD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N712RD), registered now, S/N 97280 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Chance Vought F4U-4 - Registry model: [Chance Vought F4U-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/chance-vought-f4u-4) (registry code 2152608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 97280 - Airframe hours: 2346 - Engines: P&W R2800-CB3 2100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cavanaugh Flight Museum Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1998, 15 hours before - Departed: OSH - Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 18, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N14HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14HP), registered now, S/N 90446 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman F8F-1 - Registry model: [Grumman F8F-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-f8f-1) (registry code 3950801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 90446 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: P&W R-2800 2150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Breckenridge Aviation Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1998, 53 hours before - Departed: OSH - Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 18, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 3 - Registration: [N179PT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N179PT), registered now, S/N 122179, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Chance Vought F4U-5 - Registry model: [Chance Vought F4U-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/chance-vought-f4u-5) (registry code 2152610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 122179 - Airframe hours: 1356 - Engines: P&W R-2800CB-3 2000 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James M. Read - Registered owner: Jrmc Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: OSH - Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 18, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N712RD; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total - Pilot, aircraft N14HP; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,002 total, 1,421 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N179PT; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,630 total, 48 in this make and model, 3,152 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OSH, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (3) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990729010121A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990729010121A), Jul 29, 1999: Vought F4U4, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed. During takeoff rwy 18R N712RD collided with N14HP. N712RD was destroyed. N14HP has substantial damage. 1 serious injury. (-23) Mr. Doctor and Mr. James read… - [Accident 19990729010122A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990729010122A), Jul 29, 1999: Gruman F8F1, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. During takeoff on rwy 18R N712RD collided with N14HP. N712RD was destroyed. N14HP has substantial damage, 1 minor injury. (-23)[privacy data omitted] stopped… - [Accident 19990729010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990729010109A), Jul 29, 1999: Vought F4U5, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. During collision avoidance with N712RD, acft struck an object with left tire and brushed turf with left wing. (-23)while attempting to avoid collision with… 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.