# NTSB DEN05IA025: Blair-American USA, N1518, Fort Collins, CO, November 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: November 12, 2004, 16:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.41056, -105.070045 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4106&lon=-105.0700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60553 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05IA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60553/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05IA025 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the Blair-American and the Cessna pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and student pilot's failure to give right-of-way to a landing aircraft, which resulted in a runway incursion and subsequent collision. Contributing factors include the student instructor's inadequate supervision, and the student pilot's failure to follow procedures/directives, diverted attention and inadequate radio communications. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the Blair-American and the Cessna pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and student pilot's failure to give right-of-way to a landing aircraft, which resulted in a runway incursion and subsequent collision. Contributing factors include the student instructor's inadequate supervision, and the student pilot's failure to follow procedures/directives, diverted attention and inadequate radio communications. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - diverted attention, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - radio communications - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Midair collision, takeoff - roll/run - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radio communications - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) According to the pilot aboard the Blair-American, he was in the pattern behind a Piper and although he did not hear the Cessna, he was in radio communication with the Piper. He stated that he noticed a Cessna taxiing while he was on downwind for runway 33. He announced his intention to land several times while on "short final," and to advise the Piper that he was landing behind him. He became concerned that the Piper was still on the runway, but the Piper had cleared the runway before he reached the runway's threshold. With the Piper off the runway, he continued his approach, landed, and taxied to the ramp. The pilot stated that he did not see the Cessna move from the hold position and onto the runway. According to the pilot aboard the Cessna, she was holding short of the runway to allow a Piper to land. She said the Piper made a long, slow rollout. She then taxied into takeoff position. As she began her take off roll, she noticed that the Piper was still on the runway. She reduced power momentarily, and when the Piper cleared the runway, she applied full power and resumed her take off roll. At that moment, she noticed an airplane land in front of her. She reduced power, applied brakes, and stopped her airplane on the runway. According to the student pilot's instructor, the Blair-American flew over the Cessna and landed. The Blair-American continued its landing roll and taxied to the parking ramp. Airport personnel approached the pilot in the Blair-American, and informed him that he had struck another airplane during his landing. According to the FAA inspector, the Cessna sustained minor damage to one propeller blade, a ruptured left main landing gear tire, and a separated rotating beacon. The Blair-American had no discernible damage. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the pilot aboard the Blair-American, he was in the pattern behind a Piper and although he did not hear the Cessna, he was in radio communication with the Piper. He stated that he noticed a Cessna taxiing while he was on downwind for runway 33. He announced his intention to land several times while on "short final," and to advise the Piper that he was landing behind him. He became concerned that the Piper was still on the runway, but the Piper had cleared the runway before he reached the runway's threshold. With the Piper off the runway, he continued his approach, landed, and taxied to the ramp. The pilot stated that he did not see the Cessna move from the hold position and onto the runway. According to the pilot aboard the Cessna, she was holding short of the runway to allow a Piper to land. She said the Piper made a long, slow rollout. She then taxied into takeoff position. As she began her take off roll, she noticed that the Piper was still on the runway. She reduced power momentarily, and when the Piper cleared the runway, she applied full power and resumed her take off roll. At that moment, she noticed an airplane land in front of her. She reduced power, applied brakes, and stopped her airplane on the runway. According to the student pilot's instructor, the Blair-American flew over the Cessna and landed. The Blair-American continued its landing roll and taxied to the parking ramp. Airport personnel approached the pilot in the Blair-American, and informed him that he had struck another airplane during his landing. According to the FAA inspector, the Cessna sustained minor damage to one propeller blade, a ruptured left main landing gear tire, and a separated rotating beacon. The Blair-American had no discernible damage. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See Narrative for DEN05IA025A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On November 12, 2004, approximately 1625 mountain standard time, a Blair-American USA homebuilt airplane, N1518, piloted by a commercial pilot, collided with a Cessna 152, N5531P, piloted by a student pilot at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL), Fort Collins, Colorado. The Cessna sustained minor damage and the Blair-American was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The Blair-American's cross-country flight and the Cessna's local solo flight were being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Neither pilot was injured. The Blair-American's flight originated at Childress, Texas, approximately 1415. The Cessna's flight was originating at the time of the incident. According to the pilot aboard the Blair-American, he was in the pattern behind a Piper and although he did not hear the Cessna, he was in radio communication with the Piper. He stated that he noticed a Cessna taxiing while he was on downwind for runway 33. He announced his intention to land several times while on "short final," and to advise the Piper that he was landing behind him. He became concerned that the Piper was still on the runway, but the Piper had cleared the runway before he reached the runway's threshold. With the Piper off the runway, he continued his approach, landed, and taxied to the ramp. The pilot stated that he did not see the Cessna move from the hold position and onto the runway. According to the pilot aboard the Cessna, she was holding short of the runway to allow a Piper to land. She said the Piper made a long, slow rollout. She then taxied into takeoff position. As she began her take off roll, she noticed that the Piper was still on the runway. She reduced power momentarily, and when the Piper cleared the runway, she applied full power and resumed her take off roll. At that moment, she noticed an airplane land in front of her. She reduced power, applied brakes, and stopped her airplane on the runway. According to the student pilot's instructor, the Blair-American flew over the Cessna and landed. The Blair-American continued its landing roll and taxied to the parking ramp. Airport personnel approached the pilot in The Blair-American, and informed him that he had struck another airplane during his landing. According to the FAA inspector, the Cessna sustained minor damage to one propeller blade, a ruptured left main landing gear tire, and a separated rotating beacon. The Blair-American had no discernible damage. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N1518](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1518), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Blair-American USA - Registry model: [American USA](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-usa) (registry code 05601BT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 2488 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Milton D. Pinkston - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: CDS, Childress, TX - Destination: FNL, Fort Collins, CO - Airport: FNL, Fort Collins-Loveland Municipa, runway 33, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N5531P (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15284969 - Airframe hours: 7967.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Colorado Contrails Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 2004, 17.7 hours before - Departed: FNL, Fort Collins, CO - Destination: FNL - Airport: FNL, Fort Collins-Loveland Municipa, runway 33, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N1518; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 5, 2003; seat: single; flight hours: 26,300 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 25,500 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N5531P; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 14 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 150 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KBJC, 34 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20041112033319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041112033319I), Nov 12, 2004: Cessna 152, Fort Collins, CO, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was performing her first student solo flight. She pulled onto the runway while a small home-built aircraft was on short… 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.