# NTSB LAX96LA193: Stinson 108-3, N235DE, Compton, CA, May 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1996, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Compton, CA - Coordinates: 33.870815, -118.210266 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8708&lon=-118.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29437 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29437/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA193 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) 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. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 (aircraft 2) 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. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: [N235DE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N235DE), registered now, S/N 108-4566, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4566 - Airframe hours: 2444 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6WR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6WR), registered now, S/N 001, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Revell MIDGET MUSTANG (MIDGET MUS) - Registry model: [Revell MIDGET MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/revell-midget-mustang) (registry code 1690305) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 712 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N235DE; age 51; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N6WR; age 67; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960512037011A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960512037011A), May 12, 1996: Univar 1083, Compton, CA, Minor damage. Taxiing to runway over took N6WR that was ahead on same taxiway. Couldn't see midget. His prop chewed up homebuilt. - [Accident 19960512037012A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960512037012A), May 12, 1996: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. During taxi for takeoff was over taken by N235DE Stinson also bound for runway. Its prop chewed his tail and wing. 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.