# NTSB FTW93LA265: Pitts S1-T, N7FD, Sherman, TX, September 23, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1993, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Sherman, TX - Coordinates: 33.609077, -96.599487 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6091&lon=-96.5995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18836/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA265 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS IN COMMAND OF BOTH AIRCRAFT. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft moving on ground - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft moving on ground - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) DURING THE U. S. NATIONAL AEROBATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS, TWO PITTS AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE COMPETITION WERE TAXIING. ONE WAS INBOUND FROM LANDING, AND THE OTHER WAS A DEPARTURE. THE TWO AIRCRAFT COLLIDED ON A 75 FOOT WIDE TAXIWAY. TAXIING WAS NOT MONITORED BY ATC. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) DURING THE U. S. NATIONAL AEROBATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS, TWO PITTS AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE COMPETITION WERE TAXIING. ONE WAS INBOUND FROM LANDING, AND THE OTHER WAS A DEPARTURE. THE TWO AIRCRAFT COLLIDED ON A 75 FOOT WIDE TAXIWAY. TAXIING WAS NOT MONITORED BY ATC. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) Refer to narrative for FTW 93-L-A265A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On September 23, 1993, approximately 1515 central daylight time, a Pitts S1-T, N7FD, and a Pitts S2B, N15AV, collided during taxi at Grayson County Airport, Sherman, Texas. Neither of the pilots were injured and both aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed. Both aircraft were participating in the United States National Aerobatics Championships. N7FD was taxiing for takeoff and N15AV was taxiing inbound following landing. The area where the collision occurred is a 75 foot wide taxiway which runs parallel to runway 17/35. N7FD was north bound and N15AV was south bound. A temporary control tower was in operation at the time of the collision and available information is that both aircraft were cleared to taxi and were instructed to monitor tower. By letter of agreement, the temporary tower was not responsible for monitoring taxi operations. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N7FD (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PITTS S1-T - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1033 - Airframe hours: 514 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Delacerda, Fred G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1993, 47 hours before - Airport: F39, Grayson County ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N15AV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15AV-2015-01-05), registration cancelled 2015-01-05, S/N 5228, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S2B - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5228 - Airframe hours: 253 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hc And Nr, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1992, 139 hours before - Airport: F39, Grayson County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N7FD; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,675 total, 438 in this make and model, 6,420 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N15AV; age 37; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,950 total, 127 in this make and model, 3,450 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: F39 ## 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 19930923036131A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930923036131A), Sep 23, 1993: Child S1PITTS, Sherman-Denison, TX, Substantial damage. Collided with N15AV while both pitts were taxiing for takeoff. Temporary tower cleared both to taxi on ther own. - [Accident 19930923036132A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930923036132A), Sep 23, 1993: Child S2BPITTS, Sherman-Denison, TX, Substantial damage. During natl aerobatic competition collided with aircraft. One inbound other outbound on 75FT wide taxiway. 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.