# NTSB FTW98LA004: North American Harvard MK IV, N13595, Midland, TX, October 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 3, 1997, 19:16 local (Oct 4, 1997, 00:16 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Location: 31.9425° N, 102.2019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MIDLAND INTL AIR AND SPACE PORT (MAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20443/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA004 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the pilots of both airplanes to maintain clearance from each other. A factor was their failure to follow procedures/directives. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilots of both airplanes to maintain clearance from each other. A factor was their failure to follow procedures/directives. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) During the landing roll of a formation flight of four North American T-6 airplanes, the lead aircraft, N13595, intended to clear the runway to the left at taxiway Mike instead of at the end of the runway. The pilot of the lead aircraft reported that he looked back to the left to check for the location of the #2 aircraft, N3195G. 'Number-two appeared to be one hundred and fifty yards back and slowing (it appeared number-two's tail was down in three point attitude).' As he proceeded to turn left to exit the runway, he looked back again and 'saw number-two was too close and coming fast.' He applied full power and made a right turn to the right side of the runway. The pilot of the #2 aircraft, reported that when the lead aircraft disappeared from his view, he 'went hard on the brakes' and headed towards the left edge of the runway. The right wing of aircraft #2 struck the vertical stabilizer of the lead aircraft. According to the Confederate Air Force, they teach in their Formation Flight Safety Seminars that during formation/staggered landings, the formation is to exit at the end of the runway. They also teach that there will be no passing of aircraft during the landing. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) During the landing roll of a formation flight of four North American T-6 airplanes, the lead aircraft, N13595, intended to clear the runway to the left at taxiway Mike instead of at the end of the runway. The pilot of the lead aircraft reported that he looked back to the left to check for the location of the #2 aircraft, N3195G. 'Number-two appeared to be one hundred and fifty yards back and slowing (it appeared number-two's tail was down in three point attitude).' As he proceeded to turn left to exit the runway, he looked back again and 'saw number-two was too close and coming fast.' He applied full power and made a right turn to the right side of the runway. The pilot of the #2 aircraft, reported that when the lead aircraft disappeared from his view, he 'went hard on the brakes' and headed towards the left edge of the runway. The right wing of aircraft #2 struck the vertical stabilizer of the lead aircraft. According to the Confederate Air Force, they teach in their Formation Flight Safety Seminars that during formation/staggered landings, the formation is to exit at the end of the runway. They also teach that there will be no passing of aircraft during the landing. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR FTW-98-LA-004A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 3, 1997, at 1916 central daylight time, a North American Harvard MK IV, N13595, lead airplane in a formation flight of four, collided with a North American SNJ-5, N3195G, number two in the formation, during landing roll on runway 34L at the Midland International Airport, Midland, Texas. Both aircraft were registered to the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, dba the Confederate Air Force. The North American SNJ-5 was being operated by the Confederate Air Force's Southern Minnesota Wing, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the North American Harvard MK IV was being operated by the Confederate Air Force's Golden Gate Wing, of Oakland, California. Both aircraft were substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger of each aircraft were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local formation flight. The formation flight of four North American "T-6" airplanes were on a photo mission that originated from the Midland International Airport, about 46 minutes before the accident. The pilot of the lead aircraft, N13595, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that the flight had returned to the Midland International Airport for landing. During the landing roll on runway 34L, he intended to clear the runway to the left at taxiway Mike. He looked back to the left and turned the aircraft to the left slightly to check for the location of aircraft #2, N3195G. "Number-two appeared to be one hundred and fifty yards back and slowing (it appeared number-two's tail was down in three point attitude)." The pilot stated that the radio was congested, "but I thought I heard number-two was clear or is clear." As he proceeded to turn left to exit the runway, he looked back to reconfirm the position of aircraft #2 and "saw number-two was too close and coming fast." He added full power and made a right turn to the right side of the runway. The right wing of aircraft #2, N3195G, struck the vertical stabilizer of the lead aircraft, N13595. The pilot of the lead aircraft, further reported in the Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, that this accident could have been prevented by rolling to the end of the runway to exit, and to keep the spacing between the other aircraft "at all costs." A review of the Midland International air traffic control tower voice tape by the NTSB investigator-in-charge revealed that there was a radio transmission from an unidentified person requesting a "wind check." The air traffic controller replied, " wind zero six zero at four." Another unidentified person stated about the time the formation flight was landing, "land long....(unintelligible)." The pilot of the #2 aircraft, N3195G, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that the lead aircraft, N13595, had landed well down the runway on the right half, and he landed the #2 aircraft on the left half of the runway prior to the runway 10/28 intersection. "When lead's tail came down, I selected power to idle and my tail came down about 2-3 seconds later." During the landing roll he could "see about the right 2/3ds of lead's airplane by looking out the right side of my airplane," and the spacing and position "looked good." At one point the lead aircraft disappeared from his view and he "went hard on the brakes" and headed towards the left edge of the runway. When the lead aircraft came back into his view, the aircraft was centered on the left half of the runway facing about 60 degrees right of runway heading. "I could hear lead apply a whole bunch of power as he moved to my right, and my right wing then struck his tail." Both aircraft were taxied from the runway to parking. The pilot of the #2 aircraft further reported in the Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that this accident could have been prevented "through adherence to standard operating procedures." Examination of both aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the lead aircraft, N13595, had its vertical stabilizer and rudder sheared off at the empennage, and its left wing tip sustained damage. The #2 aircraft, N3195G, sustained damage to the right wing's leading edge and lower surface including the aileron. According to the Confederate Air Force, they teach in their Formation Flight Safety Seminars, that during formation/staggered landings, the formation is to exit at the end of the runway. The only exception is when the landing is on a long runway, and the early exit is briefed. They also teach that there will be no passing of aircraft during the landing. If a pilot determines that he is going to pass an aircraft, he is to execute a go-around. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N13595](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13595-2016-10-18), registration cancelled 2016-10-18, S/N CCF-4-97, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American HARVARD MK IV (HARVARD MK) - Registry model: [Canadian Car & Foundry HARVARD MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/canadian-car-foundry-harvard-mk-iv) (registry code 1922828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CCF-4-97 - Airframe hours: 8526 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Confederate Air Force, doing business as Southern Minnesota Wing - Registered owner: Amer Airpwr Heritage Fly Museu - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1997, 40 hours before - Departed: MAF - Airport: MAF, Midland International, runway 34L, 9,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N3195G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3195G), registered now, S/N 51697 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American SNJ-5 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51697 - Airframe hours: 60326 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Confederate Air Force, doing business as Golden Gate Wing - Registered owner: Amer Airpwr Heritage Fly Museu - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MAF - Airport: MAF, Midland International, runway 34L, 9,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N13595; age 48; private, flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,655 total, 186 in this make and model, 3,296 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N3195G; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,874 total, 67 in this make and model, 3,534 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MAF ## 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 19971003046731A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971003046731A), Oct 3, 1997: Namer HARVARDMK4, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) During the landing roll of a formation flight of four north American T-6 airplanes, the lead aircraft, N13595, intended to clear the runway to the left at… - [Accident 19971003046732A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971003046732A), Oct 3, 1997: Namer SNJ5, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) During the landing roll of a formation flight of four north American T-6 airplanes, the lead aircraft, N13595, intended to clear the runway to the left at… 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.