# NTSB FTW86FA086: Cessna 172G, N5878R, Blackwell, OK, May 13, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1986, 20:11 local (May 13, 1986, 01:11 UTC) - Place: Blackwell, OK - Coordinates: 36.800403, -97.290054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8004&lon=-97.2901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 21904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA086 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - daylight - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, cruise - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - daylight ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT OF N5878R, A CESSNA 172G, HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN FORMATION FLYING. THE PILOT OF N2603E, AN AERONCA 7AC, STATED HE HAD MANY HOURS OF FORMATION FLYING IN THE MILITARY DURING WORLD WAR II AND HAS MADE AN OCCASIONAL FORMATION FLIGHT SINCE THAT DATE. HOWEVER, HE APPARENTLY HAS VERY LITTLE OR NO RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THAT TYPE OF FLYING.THE TWO PILOTS HAD PRE-PLANNED THE FORMATION FLIGHT WHICH TERMINATED IN THE SUBJECT ACCIDENT, INCLUDING HAND SIGNALS TO BE USED SINCE THEY COULD NOT COMMUNICATE BY RADIO. THE CESSNA WAS TO BE THE LEAD PLANE. THE AERONCA WAS FLYING RIGHT WINGMAN AND GAVE THE PREARRANGED SIGNAL AND CROSSED UNDER THE CESSNA TO COME UP ON HIS LEFT WING. THE TOP OF THE AERONCA'S RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE BOTTOM OF THE CESSNA'S LEFT WING. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ALTITUDE WAS 200 TO 350 FEET AGL. THE CESSNA PITCHED UP, STALLED, PITCHED STEEPLY NOSE DOWN AND DID NOT RECOVER FROM THE DESCENT. THE AERONCA DIVED, THEN MADE A CLIMBING CIRCLE TO THE LEFT AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT OF N5878R, A CESSNA 172G, HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN FORMATION FLYING. THE PILOT OF N2603E, AN AERONCA 7AC, STATED HE HAD MANY HOURS OF FORMATION FLYING IN THE MILITARY DURING WORLD WAR II AND HAS MADE AN OCCASIONAL FORMATION FLIGHT SINCE THAT DATE. HOWEVER, HE APPARENTLY HAS VERY LITTLE OR NO RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THAT TYPE OF FLYING. THE TWO PILOTS HAD PREPLANNED THE FORMATION FLIGHT WHICH TERMINATED IN THE SUBJECT ACCIDENT, INCLUDING HAND SIGNALS TO BE USED SINCE THEY COULD NOT COMMUNICATE BY RADIO. THE CESSNA WAS TO BE THE LEAD PLANE. THE AERONCA WAS FLYING RIGHT WINGMAN AND GAVE THE PREARRANGED SIGNAL AND CROSSED UNDER THE CESSNA TO COME UP ON HIS LEFT WING. THE TOP OF THE AERONCA'S RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE BOTTOM OF THE CESSNA'S LEFT WING. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ALTITUDE WAS 200 TO 350 FEET AGL. THE CESSNA PITCHED UP, STALLED, PITCHED STEEPLY NOSE DOWN AND DID NOT RECOVER FROM THE DESCENT. THE AERONCA DIVED, THEN MADE A CLIMBING CIRCLE TO THE LEFT AND RETRUNED TO THE AIRPORT AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5878R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5878R-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 17253547 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253547 - Airframe hours: 3949 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Max J. Claybaker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1986, 3,949 hours before - Departed: OKS6, BLACKWELL, OK ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N2603E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2603E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6185, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-6185 - Airframe hours: 2535 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: M. R. Quinn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1986, 1 hours before - Departed: OK56, BLACKWELL, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5878R; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 358 total, 355 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N2603E; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,437 total, 326 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19860512044532A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860512044532A), May 12, 1986: Cessna 172G, Blackwell, OK, Destroyed. During practice formation left wing was hit by 2603E right wing after it crossed under. Lost control dived to ground - [Accident 19860512044531A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860512044531A), May 12, 1986: Bbavia 7AC, Blackwell, OK, Substantial damage. Crossed under 5878R during formation practice. Right wing collided with its left wing. 5878R dived into the ground. 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.