# NTSB LAX95LA276: North American AT-6B, N105DG, Glendale, AZ, August 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1995, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.530838, -112.179893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5308&lon=-112.1799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA276 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to follow pre-briefed instructions and failure to see and avoid the preceding aircraft awaiting takeoff. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilot to follow pre-briefed instructions, and failure to see and avoid the preceding aircraft awaiting takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - crew/group briefing - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - crew/group briefing - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT IN THE NUMBER 3 AIRCRAFT, IN POSITION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, COLLIDED WITH THE NUMBER 2 AIRCRAFT, POSITIONED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE LEFT SIDE, ABOUT 5 TO 6 SECONDS AFTER THE LEAD AIRCRAFT BEGAN ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE NUMBER 3 PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE NUMBER 2 PILOT WAS TAKING OFF WITH THE LEAD AIRCRAFT AND INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL AFTER COUNTING TO 5 SECONDS. THE NUMBER 2 PILOT STATED THAT THE GROUP OF PILOTS DECIDED EARLIER ON INTERVAL TAKEOFFS DUE TO THE NARROW RUNWAY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT IN THE NUMBER 3 AIRCRAFT, IN POSITION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, COLLIDED WITH THE NUMBER 2 AIRCRAFT, POSITIONED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE LEFT SIDE, ABOUT 5 TO 6 SECONDS AFTER THE LEAD AIRCRAFT BEGAN ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE NUMBER 3 PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE NUMBER 2 PILOT WAS TAKING OFF WITH THE LEAD AIRCRAFT AND INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL AFTER COUNTING TO 5 SECONDS. THE NUMBER 2 PILOT STATED THAT THE GROUP OF PILOTS DECIDED EARLIER ON INTERVAL TAKEOFFS DUE TO THE NARROW RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On August 1, 1995, at 0900 hours mountain standard time, a North American AT-6B, N105DG, collided with another AT-6, N90629, on the runway at the beginning of a takeoff roll at the airport in Glendale, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time for the pleasure flight to El Paso, Texas. The AT-6 (N90629) awaiting takeoff on the runway received substantial damage when the AT-6 (N105DG) behind it started its takeoff roll and collided with the wing of N90629. The two pilots and one passenger were not injured. The two aircraft were part of a group of five WW-II Warbirds departing single ship from runway 01 for an across-the-country tour of aircraft celebrating the end of the World War II. The investigation revealed that N105DG was number 3 in the group of similar aircraft to takeoff. The number 1 aircraft began its take off with about 5 seconds separation for spacing. The number 2 aircraft (N90629) was waiting his turn, as briefed, for takeoff when the collision occurred. The pilot of the number 3 aircraft stated to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he didn't understand the pretakeoff pilot briefing regarding the takeoff procedures. He initiated his takeoff and his left wing collided with the right wing of the number 2 aircraft. The pilot of N105DG stated in his report that he understood that the number 2 aircraft would be making a formation takeoff with the lead aircraft. All aircraft taxied onto the runway and he then lined up on the right side of the runway with the number 1 aircraft in view. He observed the lead aircraft begin its takeoff roll and assumed that the number 2 aircraft was rolling within formation with him. The pilot counted 5 to 6 seconds for spacing and started his takeoff roll. He angled to the left to align the aircraft with the runway centerline and then straightened out on the runway centerline. At this time, the pilot observed the number 2 aircraft still stationary in front and to the left. He attempted to avoid a collision by going to the right but was unsuccessful. The left wing of N105DG collided with the right wing of N90629. The pilot of N90629 stated in his report that he pulled nearly abeam of the lead aircraft and stopped. After lead began his takeoff roll, he began to count before he released his brakes. As he reached the count of 4 seconds, N105DG went by on the right and collided with his right wing. He further stated that the group had briefed at 0800 that morning and it was decided that an interval takeoff would be made because the runway was too narrow. Runway 01 at the Glendale airport is 5,350 feet in length and 75 feet wide. The pilot in N105DG stated he was seated in the rear seat. The front seat was occupied by a pilot rated passenger. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On August 1, 1995, at 0900 hours mountain standard time, a North American AT-6B, N105DG, collided with another AT-6, N90629, on the runway at the beginning of a takeoff roll at the airport in Glendale, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time for the pleasure flight to El Paso, Texas. The AT-6 (N90629) awaiting takeoff on the runway received substantial damage when the AT-6 (N105DG) behind it started its takeoff roll and collided with the wing of N90629. The two pilots and one passenger were not injured. The two aircraft were part of a group of five WW-II Warbirds departing single ship from runway 01 for an across-the-country tour of aircraft celebrating the end of the World War II. The investigation revealed that N105DG was number 3 in the group of similar aircraft to takeoff. The number 1 aircraft began its take off with about 5 seconds separation for spacing. The number 2 aircraft (N90629) was waiting his turn, as briefed, for takeoff when the collision occurred. The pilot of the number 3 aircraft stated to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he didn't understand the pretakeoff pilot briefing regarding the takeoff procedures. He initiated his takeoff and his left wing collided with the right wing of the number 2 aircraft. The pilot of N105DG stated in his report that he understood that the number 2 aircraft would be making a formation takeoff with the lead aircraft. All aircraft taxied onto the runway and he then lined up on the right side of the runway with the number 1 aircraft in view. He observed the lead aircraft begin its takeoff roll and assumed that the number 2 aircraft was rolling within formation with him. The pilot counted 5 to 6 seconds for spacing and started his takeoff roll. He angled to the left to align the aircraft with the runway centerline and then straightened out on the runway centerline. At this time, the pilot observed the number 2 aircraft still stationary in front and to the left. He attempted to avoid a collision by going to the right but was unsuccessful. The left wing of N105DG collided with the right wing of N90629. The pilot of N90629 stated in his report that he pulled nearly abeam of the lead aircraft and stopped. After lead began his takeoff roll, he began to count before he released his brakes. As he reached the count of 4 seconds, N105DG went by on the right and collided with his right wing. He further stated that the group had briefed at 0800 that morning and it was decided that an interval takeoff would be made because the runway was too narrow. Runway 01 at the Glendale airport is 5,350 feet in length and 75 feet wide. The pilot in N105DG stated he was seated in the rear seat. The front seat was occupied by a pilot rated passenger. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N105DG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 90955 - Airframe hours: 4900 - Engines: P&W R-1340AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David H. Groark - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1995, 40 hours before - Departed: GEU - Destination: BIF, EL PASO, TX - Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal, runway 1, 5,350 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N90629](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90629), registered now, S/N 78-7375 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6A - Registry model: [North American/Victoria MNT LT AT-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-victoria-mnt-lt-at-6a) (registry code 6400406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 78-7375 - Airframe hours: 6500 - Engines: P&W R-1340AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert G. Ford - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1994, 118 hours before - Departed: GEU - Destination: BIF, EL PASO, TX - Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal, runway 1, 5,350 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N105DG; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,700 total, 425 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N90629; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,575 total, 313 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °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 19950801024391A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950801024391A), Aug 1, 1995: Namer AT6D, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. Group of AT6 departing in sequence. Pilot of NR4 got signals mixed. Collided with NR3 on takeoff roll. - [Accident 19950801024392A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950801024392A), Aug 1, 1995: Namer AT6A, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. NR3 in group sequencing departure of AT6 aircraft was struck on takeoff roll by NR4 AT6 that was out of sequence. 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.