LAX96LA193

NTSB accident investigation · Stinson 108-3 · Compton, CA · May 12, 1996

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 12, 1996, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
Place
Compton, CA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N235DEStinson 108-3N6WRRevell Midget Mustang
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report January 17, 1997
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
29437

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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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.

Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Taxi - to takeoff
Airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested/confined areaFactor
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Taxi - to takeoff
Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested/confined areaFactor
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot of other aircraftCause

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.