# NTSB LAX91LA120: Boeing A75, N803RB, Marana, AZ, March 2, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 2, 1991, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.449226, -111.289779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4492&lon=-111.2898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27127/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA120 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN THE TRAILING AIRPLANE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE LEAD AIRPLANE. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE LEAD AIRPLANE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, maneuvering - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOTS OF TWO BOEING A75 AIRPLANES WERE PRACTICING FORM UPS FOR AN AIR SHOW. BY PRE-ARRANGEMENT, THE LEAD PILOT ENTERED A RIGHT 20 DEGREE BANK AND BEGAN TURNING. THE PILOT WHO WAS IN TRAIL WAS SUPPOSED TO PASS BENEATH THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S RIGHT SIDE AND FORM UP ON THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S LEFT SIDE. DURING THE CROSSING MANEUVER, THE PILOT OF THE TRAILING AIRPLANE LOST SIGHT OF THE LEAD AIRPLANE AND PULLED UP PREMATURELY, COLLIDING WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOTS OF TWO BOEING A75 AIRPLANES WERE PRACTICING FORM UPS FOR AN AIR SHOW. BY PRE-ARRANGEMENT, THE LEAD PILOT ENTERED A RIGHT 20 DEGREE BANK AND BEGAN TURNING. THE PILOT WHO WAS IN TRAIL WAS SUPPOSED TO PASS BENEATH THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S RIGHT SIDE AND FORM UP ON THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S LEFT SIDE. DURING THE CROSSING MANEUVER, THE PILOT OF THE TRAILING AIRPLANE LOST SIGHT OF THE LEAD AIRPLANE AND PULLED UP PREMATURELY, COLLIDING WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAD AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N803RB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N803RB), registered now, S/N 75-1668, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-1668 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Schwan Sales Ent. Inc., doing business as Red Barron Pizza Co. - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Departed: E14, TUCSON, AZ ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N68486 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7842 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Schwan Sales Ent. Inc., doing business as Red Barron Pizza - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Departed: E14, TUCSON, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N803RB; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,750 total, 7,500 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N68486; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19910302005631A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302005631A), Mar 2, 1991: Boeing A75N1, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. On airshow formation practice raised right wing premature and hit lower left wing of other A75 N68486. Landed safe. - [Accident 19910302005632A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302005632A), Mar 2, 1991: Boeing A75N1, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. During formation practice for airshow bottom left wing was hit by other A75 N803RB when he raised wing prematurely. 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.