# NTSB LAX96LA092: Classic Waco YMF, N40115, Kailua Kona, HI, December 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 29, 1995, 13:52 local (23:52 UTC) - Place: Kailua Kona, HI - Location: 19.7388° N, 156.0456° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELLISON ONIZUKA KONA INTL AT KEAHOLE (KOA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7388&lon=-156.0456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29364 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29364/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA092 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the Waco pilot to see and avoid the opposite direction Cessna 172 while both aircraft were taxiing in a non-movement area of the airport. Factors in the accident were: the congested nature of the taxi lane, which limited the Waco pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing; the Waco pilot's restricted forward visibility due to the landing gear configuration and engine cowling size; and the Cessna pilot's failure to attempt radio contact with the Waco when the danger of a collision became apparent. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the Waco pilot to see and avoid the opposite direction Cessna 172 while both aircraft were taxiing in a non-movement area of the airport. Factors in the accident were: the congested nature of the taxi lane, which limited the Waco pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing; the Waco pilot's restricted forward visibility due to the landing gear configuration and engine cowling size; and the Cessna pilot's failure to attempt radio contact with the Waco when the danger of a collision became apparent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - object - aircraft parked/standing - airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - communications - not used, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing - airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On December 29, 1995, at 1352 Hawaii standard time, a Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco YMF was owned and operated by Classic Aircraft Corporation of Kailua, and was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was owned and operated by the pilot and was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either operation. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and the two passengers onboard the Waco were not injured. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the Cessna 172N, was not injured. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna. Neither the pilot nor the operator of the Waco have responded to repeated requests to complete an aircraft accident report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On December 29, 1995, at 1352 Hawaii standard time, a Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco YMF was owned and operated by Classic Aircraft Corporation of Kailua, and was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was owned and operated by the pilot and was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either operation. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and the two passengers onboard the Waco were not injured. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the Cessna 172N, was not injured. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna. Neither the pilot nor the operator of the Waco have responded to repeated requests to complete an aircraft accident report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N40115](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40115-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N F5-023, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Classic Aircraft Corp. WACO YMF - Registry model: [Classic WACO YMF](https://openairdocs.org/model/classic-waco-ymf) (registry code 2240101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F5-023 - Engines: Jacobs R-755B2 315 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Classic Aircraft Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KOA - Airport: KOA, Keahole International ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N734ZC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734ZC), registered now, S/N 17269236 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172269236 - Airframe hours: 1962 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Barbara L. Clever - Registered owner: Christopher & Barbara Clever - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1995, 5 hours before - Departed: KOA - Airport: KOA, Keahole International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N40115; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,700 total - Pilot, aircraft N734ZC; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 412 total, 358 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Observed at: KOA ## 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 19951229043581A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951229043581A), Dec 29, 1995: Waco YMF, Kailua-Kona, HI, Substantial damage. While taxiing on ramp collided with taxiing N734ZC taxiing for takeoff. Waco blind forward. Other plane had to stop - [Accident 19951229043582A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951229043582A), Dec 29, 1995: Cessna 172N, Kailua-Kona, HI, Substantial damage. While taxiing for takeoff stopped due waco N40115 taxiing in. Was struck by same. Waco blind forward on ground. ## Other investigations on N40115 (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 LAX90LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA339), Sep 28, 1990: Waco YMS (N40115), Kailua, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING. 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.