# NTSB LAX98LA302: Bognuda Livio IV Lancair, N805L, Reno, NV, September 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1998, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.709285, -119.820945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7093&lon=-119.8209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43990 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43990/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA302 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate visual surveillance of the taxiway in front of his aircraft to avoid the collision. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the pilot of the overtaking taxiing aircraft to maintain adequate visual surveillance of the taxiway in front of his aircraft to avoid the collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) An experimental Lancair was holding position on the taxiway awaiting takeoff when it was struck from behind by the taxiing Hawker Sea Fury. The Lancair pilot had stopped 500 to 600 feet behind a military C-130 transport aircraft in front of him to avoid thrust turbulence. The pilot of the tail wheel equipped Sea Fury, also taxiing for takeoff, reported that he was unaware of the presence of the smaller aircraft and never saw it on the taxiway ahead until the propeller of his aircraft began striking the empennage. The Sea Fury pilot reported difficulty s-turning while taxiing due to thrust turbulence from other military fighter aircraft on the ramp adjacent to the taxiway he was using. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Lancair was holding position on the taxiway while awaiting takeoff when it was struck from behind by a Hawker Sea Fury. The Lancair pilot was stopped 500 to 600 feet behind a military C-130 transport aircraft in front of him to avoid thrust turbulence. The pilot of the tail wheel equipped Sea Fury, also taxiing for takeoff, reported that he was unaware of the presence of the smaller aircraft and never saw it on the taxiway ahead until the propeller of his aircraft began striking the empennage of the Lancair. The Sea Fury pilot reported difficulty s-turning while taxiing due to thrust turbulence from other military fighter aircraft on the ramp adjacent to the taxiway he was using. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On September 21, 1998, at 0945 hours Pacific standard time, a Bognuda Livio IV Lancair, N805L, was substantially damaged when a Hawker Siddeley Sea Fury TMK 20, N24SF, taxied into its empennage while it was holding on the taxiway awaiting takeoff at the Reno Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The Sea Fury TMK 20 sustained no damage. No injuries were sustained by the private pilot and one passenger in the Lancair, or by the airline transport pilot of the Sea Fury TMK 20. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flights. The pilot of the Lancair reported that he stopped on the taxiway about 500 to 600 feet from the runway end because the tower advised him of wake turbulence behind a military C-130 aircraft stopped on the taxiway in front of him. He remained stopped in that position for 5 to 10 minutes when, without warning the Sea Fury taxied into the empennage. The pilot of the tail wheel equipped Sea Fury reported that he received clearance to taxi to runway 26. He saw the C-130 ahead but was never told of the presence of the smaller Lancair. The Reno air races had finished the previous day and several visiting military jets with their engines operating were also preparing to depart. The military jets were parked adjacent to the taxiway with their jet exhaust blowing across the taxiway, which made it difficult for the Sea Fury pilot to s-turn as he taxied behind them. The Sea Fury pilot reported he never saw the Lancair prior to the collision. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On September 21, 1998, at 0945 hours Pacific standard time, a Bognuda Livio IV Lancair, N805L, was substantially damaged when a Hawker Siddeley Sea Fury TMK 20, N24SF, taxied into its empennage while it was holding on the taxiway awaiting takeoff at the Reno Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The Sea Fury TMK 20 sustained no damage. No injuries were sustained by the private pilot and one passenger in the Lancair, or by the airline transport pilot of the Sea Fury TMK 20. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flights. The pilot of the Lancair reported that he stopped on the taxiway about 500 to 600 feet from the runway end because the tower advised him of wake turbulence behind a military C-130 aircraft stopped on the taxiway in front of him. He remained stopped in that position for 5 to 10 minutes when, without warning the Sea Fury taxied into the empennage. The pilot of the tail wheel equipped Sea Fury reported that he received clearance to taxi to runway 26. He saw the C-130 ahead but was never told of the presence of the smaller Lancair. The Reno air races had finished the previous day and several visiting military jets with their engines operating were also preparing to depart. The military jets were parked adjacent to the taxiway with their jet exhaust blowing across the taxiway, which made it difficult for the Sea Fury pilot to s-turn as he taxied behind them. The Sea Fury pilot reported he never saw the Lancair prior to the collision. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N805L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N805L), registered now, S/N IV0011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bognuda Livio IV LANCAIR - Registry model: [Bognuda Livio IV LANCAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/bognuda-livio-iv-lancair) (registry code 05626TQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LIV-25 - Airframe hours: 429 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B1B 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Livio L. Bognuda - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: 4SD - Destination: SMF, SANTA MARIA, CA - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N24SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24SF), registered now, S/N 37517, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hawker Siddeley SEA FURY TMK 20 (SEA FURY T) - Registry model: [Hawker SEA FURY F B II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawker-sea-fury-f-b-ii) (registry code 4220200) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright R3350-32WA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r3350-32wa) (registry code 67042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 37517 - Airframe hours: 1371 - Engines: Curtis Wright R-3350-26WD 3200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jamie S. Dawson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1998, 45 hours before - Departed: 4SD - Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N805L; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 500 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N24SF; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 17,810 total, 107 in this make and model, 14,599 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 11 nm away ## 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 19980921037702A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980921037702A), Sep 21, 1998: Amtr LANCAIRIV, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Acft was struck in the tail section by N24SF, which was taxiing, acft has substantial damage.(-23) aircraft had stopped for C-130 to take active runeay. While… - [Accident 19980921037701A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980921037701A), Sep 21, 1998: Amtr SEAFURYTMK20, Reno, NV. (-23)Aircraft over ran a Lancair iv on taxi to runway. Pilot said he never saw the smaller aircraft. Pilot had just tacied past at least 3 F-16'S and a F-18… 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.