# NTSB GAA18CA198: Cessna 172, N410ER, Brunswick, GA, February 22, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 21, 2018, 21:20 local (Feb 22, 2018, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, GA
- Coordinates: 31.155555, -81.390556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1556&lon=-81.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96972/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96972
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA198

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to see and avoid an airplane holding short of the runway on the taxiway and the flight instructor’s lack of situational awareness.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to see and avoid an airplane holding short of the runway on the taxiway and the flight instructor’s lack of situational awareness.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=2990104), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990104), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2990104), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2990104), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The chief pilot of the flight school that operated the multi-engine airplane reported that the pilot receiving instruction was taxiing the airplane to the runway at the non-tower-controlled airport and was "heads-in" looking down and researching information on his iPad when he heard someone yell "stop". He quickly applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with an airplane stopped on the taxiway, holding short of the runway. The chief pilot further reported that the flight instructor was imputing radio frequencies and was unaware that the pilot was also looking inside the airplane. The instructor looked up just in time to hear the backseat passenger yell "stop" and see the collision. The safety coordinator of the flight school that operated the stopped airplane reported that, while holding short of the runway and performing the before takeoff checklist, the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction felt a hard impact from the rear. The stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The safety coordinator and chief pilot both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The chief pilot of the flight school that operated the multi-engine airplane reported that the pilot receiving instruction was taxiing the airplane to the runway at the non-tower-controlled airport and was "heads-in" looking down and researching information on his iPad when he heard someone yell, "stop". He quickly applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with an airplane stopped on the taxiway, holding short of the runway. The chief pilot further reported that the flight instructor was imputing radio frequencies and was unaware that the pilot was also looking inside the airplane. The instructor looked up just in time to hear the backseat passenger yell "stop" and see the collision. The safety coordinator of the flight school that operated the stopped airplane reported that, while holding short of the runway and performing the before takeoff checklist, the flight instructor and pilot-receiving-instruction felt a hard impact from the rear. The stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The safety coordinator and chief pilot both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The Chief Pilot of the flight school that operated the multi-engine airplane reported that the pilot-receiving-instruction was taxiing the airplane to runway at the non-tower-controlled airport and was "heads-in" looking down and researching information on his iPad when he heard someone yell, "Stop!". He quickly applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with an airplane stopped on the taxiway, holding short of the runway. The Chief Pilot further reported that the flight instructor was imputing radio frequencies and was unaware that the pilot was also looking inside the airplane. The instructor looked up just in time to hear the backseat passenger yell "stop," and see the collision. The Safety Coordinator of the flight school that operated the stopped airplane reported that, while holding short of the runway and performing the before takeoff checklist, the flight instructor and pilot-receiving-instruction felt a hard impact from the rear. The stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The Safety Coordinator and Chief Pilot both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

The Chief Pilot of the flight school that operated the multi-engine airplane reported that the pilot-receiving-instruction was taxiing the airplane to runway at the non-tower-controlled airport and was "heads-in" looking down and researching information on his iPad when he heard someone yell, "Stop!". He quickly applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with an airplane stopped on the taxiway, holding short of the runway. The Chief Pilot further reported that the flight instructor was imputing radio frequencies and was unaware that the pilot was also looking inside the airplane. The instructor looked up just in time to hear the backseat passenger yell "stop," and see the collision. The Safety Coordinator of the flight school that operated the stopped airplane reported that, while holding short of the runway and performing the before takeoff checklist, the flight instructor and pilot-receiving-instruction felt a hard impact from the rear. The stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The Safety Coordinator and Chief Pilot both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N410ER (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S11441
- Year built: 2014
- Airframe hours: 3555.8
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Inc
- Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 6, 2018
- Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: SSI, Brunswick, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: SSI, Mckinnon St Simons Island
- Equipment: ADS-B, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N987TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N987TS), registered now, S/N 42.AC088, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 42 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 42](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da-42) (registry code 2990104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Thielert TAE-125-02-99](https://openairdocs.org/engine/thielert-tae-125-02-99) (registry code 59302, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42.AC088
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 1816.8
- Engines: Thielert TAE125-02-99 135 horsepower reciprocating; Thielert TAE125-02-99 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Falcon Aviation Academy LLC
- Registered owner: Falcon Aviation Academy LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 2018
- Departed: CCO, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: SSI, Brunswick, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SSI, Mckinnon St Simons Island
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor, aircraft N410ER; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review September 29, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 396 total, 396 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot, aircraft N410ER; injuries: none; private; seat: left; restraint: 3-point
- Pilot, aircraft N987TS; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 271 total, 30 in this make and model
- Flight instructor, aircraft N987TS; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 22, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,145 total, 91 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observed at: KSSI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20180221002981A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180221002981A), Feb 21, 2018: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA 42, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. While taxing aircraft (DA-42, N987TS) to runway 22 for takeoff at kssi. The DA-42 aircraft ran into the rear of a Cessna aircraft (C172. N410ER) while it was…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96972. 8.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N410ER (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N410ER-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N987TS (item 2, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N987TS-Master.PDF
- Narrative History of Flight - N987TS (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Narrative%20History%20of%20Flight%20-%20N987TS-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF

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.

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