# NTSB FTW97LA148: Stinson L5, N57789, Lancaster, TX, March 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 1997, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, TX - Coordinates: 32.620075, -96.780349 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6201&lon=-96.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20189 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20189/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA148 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Failure of the pilot of the Stinson L5, N57789, to see and avoid the RV-6, N139TX. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Failure of the pilot of the Stinson L5, N57789, to see and avoid the RV-6, N139TX. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Stinson L5, N57789, was taxiing inbound from a local flight, and the RV-6, N139TX, was taxiing outbound when the wing of Stinson contacted the turning propeller of RV-6. According to pilot statements, the pilot of Stinson did not have visual contact with RV-6 until after the collision. The pilot of RV-6 did have visual contact with Stinson at the last instant, and attempted an avoidance maneuver prior to the collision. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Stinson L5, N57789, was taxiing inbound from a local flight, and the RV-6, N139TX, was taxiing outbound when the wing of Stinson contacted the turning propeller of RV-6. According to pilot statements, the pilot of Stinson did not have visual contact with RV-6 until after the collision. The pilot of RV-6 did have visual contact with Stinson at the last instant, and attempted an avoidance maneuver prior to the collision. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On March 18, 1997, approximately 1515, central daylight time, a Stinson L5, N57789, collided with a homebuilt RV-6, N139TX, while both airplanes were taxiing at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Texas. The pilot of the Stinson, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot of the RV-6, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. Both aircraft were being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The Stinson was taxiing inbound from a local flight and the RV-6 was taxiing outbound. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In a written statement, the pilot of the Stinson reported that he had just landed on runway 31 after doing some landing pattern work. After rollout he taxied inbound onto the first turn off and noticed a Cessna on the next turn off, facing west. He stated that during his taxi he was "zig zagging" to maintain a visual lookout. While the aircraft was "angled to the right" and he was "looking to the left to see if the way was clear", he heard the words, "HE DOESN'T SEE YOU", and then heard the sound of a propeller contact his wing. After making eye contact with the aircraft that contacted his wing, he observed that it was a RV-6. He stated that, after the collision, he observed the RV-6 taxiing with its main landing gear on the asphalt, and tail wheel in the grass adjacent to the taxiway. In a written statement, the pilot of the RV-6 reported that he was taxiing south along the taxiway following a Cessna. He stated that the Cessna turned off onto the intersection "revealing an oncoming Stinson." Upon visually acquiring the Stinson, he "taxied to the far left side of the taxiway, thinking that the Stinson would surely see my aircraft, but he [the Stinson] continued in the opposite direction rapidly and unswervingly." He further stated that he "turned [the aircraft] a one-eight turn to the right with the hope of minimizing the oncoming damage." Subsequently, the wing of the Stinson "struck" the turning propeller of the RV-6, approximately 3-4 feet inboard from the wing tip, resulting in structural damage to the Stinson. According to the aforementioned statements by each of the pilots, both the RV-6 and the Stinson, were moving at the time of their contact. Note: Narrative for NTSB case file, FTW97LA148A, is identical to this narrative. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On March 18, 1997, approximately 1515, central daylight time, a Stinson L5, N57789, collided with a homebuilt RV-6, N139TX, while both airplanes were taxiing at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Texas. The pilot of the Stinson, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot of the RV-6, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. Both aircraft were being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The Stinson was taxiing inbound from a local flight and the RV-6 was taxiing outbound. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In a written statement, the pilot of the Stinson reported that he had just landed on runway 31 after doing some landing pattern work. After rollout he taxied inbound onto the first turn off and noticed a Cessna on the next turn off, facing west. He stated that during his taxi he was "zig zagging" to maintain a visual lookout. While the aircraft was "angled to the right" and he was "looking to the left to see if the way was clear", he heard the words, "HE DOESN'T SEE YOU", and then heard the sound of a propeller contact his wing. After making eye contact with the aircraft that contacted his wing, he observed that it was a RV-6. He stated that, after the collision, he observed the RV-6 taxiing with its main landing gear on the asphalt, and tail wheel in the grass adjacent to the taxiway. In a written statement, the pilot of the RV-6 reported that he was taxiing south along the taxiway following a Cessna. He stated that the Cessna turned off onto the intersection "revealing an oncoming Stinson." Upon visually acquiring the Stinson, he "taxied to the far left side of the taxiway, thinking that the Stinson would surely see my aircraft, but he [the Stinson] continued in the opposite direction rapidly and unswervingly." He further stated that he "turned [the aircraft] a one-eight turn to the right with the hope of minimizing the oncoming damage." Subsequently, the wing of the Stinson "struck" the turning propeller of the RV-6, approximately 3-4 feet inboard from the wing tip, resulting in structural damage to the Stinson. According to the aforementioned statements by each of the pilots, both the RV-6 and the Stinson, were moving at the time of their contact. Note: Narrative for NTSB case file, FTW97LA148B, is identical to this narrative. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N57789](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57789), registered now, S/N 76-272 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson L5 - Registry model: [Stinson L-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5) (registry code 8630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 76-272 - Engines: Lycoming O-435C 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Air Heritage Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LNC - Destination: LNC - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Municipal ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N139TX (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Homebuilt RV-6 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cecil A. Mcree - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 8, 1997, 34 hours before - Departed: LNC - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N57789; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 769 total, 74 in this make and model, 642 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N139TX; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,964 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °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 19970318046489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970318046489A), Mar 18, 1997: Stnson L5, Lancaster, TX, No damage. (-23) Pilot was taxiing north on taxiway. Right wing made contact with second aircraft rv 6 (standing on east side, engine running) propeller, severing one… - [Incident 19970318009089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970318009089I), Mar 18, 1997: Amtr RV6, Lancaster, TX, Minor damage. Narrative: pilot moved off taxiway to the east to avoid oncoming traffic. Aircraft was stationary with engine at idle. Wing from other aircraft struck prop… 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.