# NTSB LAX89FA120: Cessna 170B, N2766C, Casa Grande, AZ, March 5, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 1989, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Location: 32.8795° N, 111.7574° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Casa Grande, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8795&lon=-111.7574&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 4 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26215/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA120 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, WHILE FLYING IN FORMATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) PERFORMANCE OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER BY THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT, WHILE FLYING IN FORMATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command - aerobatics - performed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, maneuvering - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A PRIVATE PILOT FLYING IN HIS OWN EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY ACROBATIC BIPLANE, N64WD, PLANNED TO FLY IN FORMATION WITH A COMMERCIAL PILOT FLYING IN HIS OWN NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE, N2766C. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE RADIO EQUIPPED. WHILE THE CESSNA WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT, N64WD OVERTOOK THE CESSNA FROM ITS REAR, MANEUVERED INVERTED, AND COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A PRIVATE PILOT FLYING IN HIS OWN EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY ACROBATIC BIPLANE, N64WD, PLANNED TO FLY IN FORMATION WITH A COMMERCIAL PILOT FLYING IN HIS OWN NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE, N2766C. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE RADIO EQUIPPED. WHILE THE CESSNA WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT, N64WD OVERTOOK THE CESSNA FROM ITS REAR, MANEUVERED INVERTED, AND COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N2766C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2766C-1994-03-02), registration cancelled 1994-03-02, S/N 26310 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26310 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Mcquatters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ARIZONA, AZ - Destination: ARIZONA, AZ ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N64WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64WD-1989-07-29), registration cancelled 1989-07-29, S/N 7104K385B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RODGERS BABY GREAT LAKES (BABY GREAT) - Registry model: [Rodgers BABY GREAT LAKES](https://openairdocs.org/model/rodgers-baby-great-lakes) (registry code 3910134) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7104K-385B - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter A. Doiron - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: ARIZONA, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N2766C; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 182 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N64WD; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 350 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890305002982A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890305002982A), Mar 5, 1989: Cessna 170B, Casa Grande, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck by companion aircraft N64WD during formation flight. N64WD engaged in aerobatics was inverted at impact. - [Accident 19890305002981A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890305002981A), Mar 5, 1989: Amtrof BABYLAKES, Casa Grande, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck companion aircraft N2766C while performing aerobatics. Was inverted at impact. Had been flying formation. ## Other investigations on N2766C (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX78DUG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DUG43), Jul 15, 1978: Cessna 170B (N2766C), Temecula, CA, substantial damage 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.