- Date
- May 12, 1996, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place
- Compton, CA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 17, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19960512037011A19960512037012A
- Case key
- 29437
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot of the other aircraft's failure to see and avoid N6WR. A factor in the accident was the narrow, confined nature of the taxiway, which restricted the Stinson pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing.
The failure of the pilot to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor in the accident was the narrow, confined nature of the taxiway, which restricted the pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Both pilots reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft. The Stinson pilot stated that his ability to perform clearing turns was limited due to the narrowness of the taxiway and the proximity of parked aircraft on the north side.
Both pilots reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft. The Stinson pilot stated that his ability to perform clearing turns was limited due to the narrowness of the taxiway and the proximity of parked aircraft on the north side.
Factual narrative
On May 12, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N235DE, collided with a homebuilt experimental Revell Midget Mustang, N6WR, while both aircraft were taxiing for departure at the Compton, California, airport. Both aircraft were operated by their respective owners for local area personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plans were filed. The Stinson sustained minor propeller and cowl damage. The Midget Mustang sustained substantial damage to the empennage surfaces, aft fuselage, and left wing. Neither pilot, the sole occupants of their respective airplanes, were injured. Both flights were originating at the time of the accident.
Both pilots were interviewed by telephone on May 13, 1996, and they reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft.
On May 12, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N235DE, collided with a homebuilt experimental Revell Midget Mustang, N6WR, while both aircraft were taxiing for departure at the Compton, California, airport. Both aircraft were operated by their respective owners for local area personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plans were filed. The Stinson sustained minor propeller and cowl damage. The Midget Mustang sustained substantial damage to the empennage surfaces, aft fuselage, and left wing. Neither pilot, the sole occupants of their respective airplanes, were injured. Both flights were originating at the time of the accident.
Both pilots were interviewed by telephone on May 13, 1996, and they reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot stated that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him because it is a small aircraft and his aircraft is a conventional gear airplane with a large nose area. The Stinson pilot said he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear and his propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the other aircraft.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N235DE
- Reported as
- Stinson 108-3
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 108-4566
- Airframe hours
- 2,444
- Engine
- Lycoming O-540-J1A5D, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- William W. Jensen
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 1, 1995 · 74 hours before
- Departed
- CPM
- Airport
- CPM · Compton
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
- Registration
- N6WR
- Reported as
- Revell Midget Mustang (MIDGET MUS)
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 001
- Airframe hours
- 712
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2C, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Roy R. Medan
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 28, 1996 · 65 hours before
- Departed
- CPM
- Airport
- CPM · Compton
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N235DE
- Age
- 51
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 940 total · 600 in this make and model · 880 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N6WR
- Age
- 67
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 3,136 total · 643 in this make and model · 3,136 as pilot in command · 22 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 79 °F
FAA reports on this event · 2
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.