DFW05LA175

NTSB accident investigation · North American T-28B · Abilene, TX · June 24, 2005

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 24, 2005, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
Place
Abilene, TX
Injuries
3 uninjured
Phase of flight
Standing
Aircraft
N9060FNorth American T-28BN15797Canadian Car & Foundry Mark IV
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 27, 2005
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
Case key
61887

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the inaccurate frequency listing for ground control.

The other pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing. Contributing factors were the other pilot's diverted attention and the inaccurate frequency listing for ground control.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Standing - engine(s) operating
Clearance - not maintainedPilot of other aircraftCause
Diverted attentionPilot of other aircraftFactor
Charts/other manuals - inaccurateFactor
Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Taxi
Charts/other manuals - inaccurateFactor
Diverted attentionPilot in commandFactor
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

See brief for DFW05LA175A

The 25,500-hour pilot was holding short of taxiway Alpha on taxiway Delta awaiting further taxi instructions when another airplane collided into the rear of his airplane. The 27,996-hour pilot of the other airplane stated that after exiting the active runway onto taxiway Delta, he switched to 119.35 megahertz (MHz), the ground control frequency depicted on his Jeppesen IFR Flight Star printout and Global Positioning System (GPS). After calling on this frequency, the pilot was notified that the correct ground control frequency was 118.35 MHz. After switching frequencies, the pilot heard an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) beacon, and thinking that the signal was emitting from his airplane, the pilot attempted to reset the ELT while he continued to taxi straight ahead. Subsequently, his airplane struck the other airplane that was holding short on taxiway Delta.

**This report was modified on April 10, 2008.**

Factual narrative

See narrative for DFW05LA175A

On June 24, 2005, approximately 1150 central daylight time (CDT), a vintage North American T-28B single-engine airplane, N9060F, was substantially damaged upon collision with another airplane while holding short on taxiway Delta at Dyess Air Force Base (DYS), near Abilene, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Trojan Phlyers II Inc, of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Hicks Airfield (T67), near Fort Worth, Texas, at 1110, and was destined for DYS.

In a written statement, the 27,996-hour pilot of a vintage tail-wheel equipped Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard MK IV single-engine airplane, N15797, reported that after performing a formation 360-degree overhead approach as a flight of two, the control tower told the lead airplane to execute a go-around. N15797 was then cleared to land. During the landing roll on the active runway, the tower informed N15797 to exit on the next available taxiway, and then contact ground control.

After exiting the active runway onto taxiway Delta, the pilot switched to 119.35 megahertz (MHz), the ground control frequency depicted on his Jeppesen IFR Flight Star printout and Global Positioning System (GPS). After calling on this frequency, the pilot was notified that the correct ground control frequency was 118.35 MHz.

While taxiing on taxiway Delta, the pilot switched to the correct frequency. While taxiing the pilot stated that he heard the sound of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) beacon, and thinking that the signal was emitting from his airplane, he attempted to reset the ELT while he continued to taxi.

While taxiing straight ahead the pilot of N15797 allowed his airplane to collide with N9060F, which was holding short of taxiway Alpha on taxiway Delta awaiting further taxiing instructions.

Examination of the T-28B by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were separated from the fuselage. Examination of the Harvard MK IV revealed that the propeller and engine cowling were damaged.

**This report was modified on April 8, 2008.**

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N9060F
Reported as
North American T-28B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
138164
Airframe hours
16,555
Engine
Wright R1820-86B, 1,425 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Trojan Phylers II Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · August 1, 2004 · 57 hours before
Departed
T67 · Fort Worth, TX
Destination
DYS · Abilene, TX
Airport
DYS · Dyess Air Force Base
Registration
N15797
Reported as
Canadian Car & Foundry Mark IV
Category
Airplane
Engine
reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Commemorative AirForce
Departed
3T2 · Manvel, TX
Destination
Abilene, TX
Airport
DYS · Dyess Air Force Base

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N9060F
Age
67
Injuries
None
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Front
Flight hours
25,500 total · 1,300 in this make and model · 14,000 as pilot in command
Role
Pilot, aircraft N15797
Injuries
None

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
140° at 12 knots, gusting 17
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
91 °F, dew point 54 °F
Altimeter
30.03 inHg
Observed at
DYS

FAA reports on this event · 2

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.