# NTSB FTW94FA060: Palmer Hawk BM-4, N75DL, Pearland, TX, January 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 2, 1994, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Pearland, TX - Coordinates: 29.54907, -95.270324 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5491&lon=-95.2703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 5 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 11, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18878/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA060 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 1) AS AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT IN A CESSNA 172 WERE MAKING TOUCH-&-GO'S ON RUNWAY 14R, A BM-4 PILOT TRANSMITTED ON UNICOM THAT HE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE WEST FOR A BASE ENTRY. REPORTEDLY, THE CESSNA PILOTS WERE TRANSMITTING THEIR POSITIONS ON UNICOM, ALSO. THE BM-4 SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED BASE TO FINAL BEHIND THE CESSNA & WAS SEEN CONVERGING ON THE CESSNA IN DISTANCE & ALTITUDE. IMPACT OCCURRED ON SHORT FINAL. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANES REMAINED TOGETHER, ROTATED TO THE LEFT & DESCENDED VERTICALLY TO THE GROUND. THE BM-4 COLOR WAS WHITE WITH YELLOW TRIM & THE CESSNA WAS COLORED WHITE WITH BROWN TRIM. YELLOW PAINT TRANSFER WAS OBSERVED ON THE UPPER LEFT WING SURFACE, AFT CABIN SUPPORT POST & AFT WINDSHIELD OF THE CESSNA. LEADING EDGE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF THE BM-4 WAS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF THE AFT CABIN WINDOW OF THE CESSNA. AN IMPACT SIGNATURE MEASUREMENT AT THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE LEFT FLAP OF THE CESSNA WAS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE BM-4 RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUT WIDTH. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) AS AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT IN A CESSNA 172 WERE MAKING TOUCH-&-GO'S ON RUNWAY 14R, A BM-4 PILOT TRANSMITTED ON UNICOM THAT HE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE WEST FOR A BASE ENTRY. REPORTEDLY, THE CESSNA PILOTS WERE TRANSMITTING THEIR POSITIONS ON UNICOM, ALSO. THE BM-4 SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED BASE TO FINAL BEHIND THE CESSNA & WAS SEEN CONVERGING ON THE CESSNA IN DISTANCE & ALTITUDE. IMPACT OCCURRED ON SHORT FINAL. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANES REMAINED TOGETHER, ROTATED TO THE LEFT & DESCENDED VERTICALLY TO THE GROUND. THE BM-4 COLOR WAS WHITE WITH YELLOW TRIM & THE CESSNA WAS COLORED WHITE WITH BROWN TRIM. YELLOW PAINT TRANSFER WAS OBSERVED ON THE UPPER LEFT WING SURFACE, AFT CABIN SUPPORT POST & AFT WINDSHIELD OF THE CESSNA. LEADING EDGE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF THE BM-4 WAS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF THE AFT CABIN WINDOW OF THE CESSNA. AN IMPACT SIGNATURE MEASUREMENT AT THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE LEFT FLAP OF THE CESSNA WAS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE BM-4 RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUT WIDTH. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) HISTORY OF FLIGHT:On January 2, 1994, at 1630 central standard time, a Palmer Hawk BM-4, N75DL, and a Cessna 172N, N739TL, were destroyed during a midair collision near Pearland, Texas. Both airplanes were on final approach to runway 14R at Clover Field, which is an uncontrolled airport. Two occupants of the BM-4 and three occupants of the Cessna received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions with 15 miles visibility prevailed for the local flights. Interviews with witnesses and associates revealed that the Cessna had departed Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, at 1558. Its pilot-in-command was a flight instructor conducting a biennial flight review with the private pilot receiving dual instruction. They performed several VFR patterns for touch and goes on runway 14R. Pilots in the area recalled the Cessna pilot making the VFR uncontrolled field radio communications over the unicom frequency of 122.8. The BM-4 departed Clover Field at 1630 and flew westbound for a local personal flight. Pilots in the area reported a radio transmission on 122.8 from the BM-4 pilot that he was approaching Clover Field from the west for a base entry. Witnesses observed the Cessna on short final for runway 14R. Witness reports regarding its altitude varied from 200 feet to 500 feet above the ground. Witnesses observed the BM-4 turn base to final behind the Cessna. The BM-4 was initially observed higher above the ground and moving much faster than the Cessna. Witnesses stated that it appeared the BM-4 was converging on the Cessna in distance and altitude. The airplanes were described as impacting 1000 feet before the approach end of runway 14R at an altitude of not more than 300 feet. Witnesses observed the airplanes remain together, rotate to the left and descend vertically to the ground. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT: The BM-4 was found resting on the left wing and cockpit area of the Cessna. The BM-4 sustained damage to the right wing and right main gear. The Cessna color was white with brown trim and the BM-4 color was white with yellow trim. Yellow paint transfers were observed on the upper left wing surface, the aft cabin support post and aft windshield of the Cessna. Leading edge damage of the right wing of the BM-4 was approximately equal to the width of the aft windshield of the Cessna. Flap actuator measurements indicated the flaps of the Cessna were extended 30 degrees. An impact signature measurement at the outboard portion of the left flap of the Cessna was approximately equal to the BM-4 right landing gear strut width. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION: The Office of the Medical Examiner of Harris County in Houston, Texas, performed the autopsies on all cockpit occupants. TEST AND RESEARCH: Examination of the engines was conducted on January 25, 1994. The engine examinations did not reveal any discrepancies. Flight continuity was established. The integrity of all fuel tanks was compromised. ADDITIONAL DATA: The airplanes were released to the owner's representatives. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR FTW94FA060A. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N75DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75DL-1994-09-07), registration cancelled 1994-09-07, S/N 767 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PALMER HAWK BM-4 - Registry model: [Palmer MINICAB HAWK BM4](https://openairdocs.org/model/palmer-minicab-hawk-bm4) (registry code 0561345) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 767 - Airframe hours: 554 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jenkins, Philip J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1993, 17 hours before - Departed: T02 - Destination: T02 - Airport: T02, Clover Field, runway 14R, 4,300 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N739TL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739TL-2005-09-14), registration cancelled 2005-09-14, S/N 17270792, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270792 - Airframe hours: 2165 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ellington Aero Club, Inc. - Registered owner: Eagle Micro Systems - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1993, 78 hours before - Departed: T02 - Destination: T02 - Airport: T02, Clover Field, runway 14R, 4,300 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N75DL; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,037 total, 7 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N739TL; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 8 nm away ## 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 19940102000041A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940102000041A), Jan 2, 1994: Amtr HAWK, Pearland, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Overtook N739TL that was on final while turning to final. Plane remained together. Fell to ground short of runway. - [Accident 19940102000032A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940102000032A), Jan 2, 1994: Cessna 172N, Houston, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. On final was overtaken and hit by plane that made an improper pattern entry. Both aircraft spun to impact together. 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.