MIA03LA038

NTSB accident investigation · North American AT-6A · Melbourne, FL · January 4, 2003

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
January 4, 2003, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
Place
Melbourne, FL
Injuries
3 uninjured
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N57318North American AT-6AN522FCessna 172K
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 26, 2003
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA FSDO
FAA report
20030104007011A
Case key
56281

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 failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.

The failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.

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.

On ground/water collision with objectTaxi - from landing
Visual lookout - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Object - aircraft parked/standing
On ground/water collision with objectTaxi - from landing
Visual lookout - not maintainedPilot of other aircraftCause
Object - aircraft parked/standing

Analysis

The pilot of N57318, a North American AT6A, said that he had landed on runway 27L, and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He said that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the N522F, a Cessna 172K, to taxi to the ramp, and that his airplane has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R, he turned on taxiway Q, crossed the hold short line, and came to a complete stop in order to complete the after landing checklist, and the North American impacted the tail of his airplane. The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q, and the pilot of the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. He said the Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. When the Cessna had turned off the runway, he said he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred. One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.

The pilot of N57318, a North American AT6A, said that he had landed on runway 27L, and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He said that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the N522F, a Cessna 172K, to taxi to the ramp, and that his airplane has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R, he turned on taxiway Q, crossed the hold short line, and came to a complete stop in order to complete the after landing checklist, and the North American impacted the tail of his airplane. The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q, and the pilot of the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. He said the Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. When the Cessna had turned off the runway, he said he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred. One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.

Factual narrative

Same as for MIA03LA038A.

On January 4, 2003, about 1425 eastern standard time, a North American AT-6A, N57318, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a Cessna 172K, N522F, registered to Spectrum Aviation, Inc., and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided on a taxiway after both landed at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either aircraft. N57318, a North American AT6A, incurred minor damage, and N522F, a Cessna 172K, incurred substantial damage. Neither the commercial-rated pilot of the North American, nor the private-rated pilot or passenger of Cessna were injured. The North American originated from Melbourne about 1 hour before the accident, and the Cessna originated from Daytona Beach about 40 minutes before the accident.

The pilot of the North American stated that he had landed on runway 27L and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He further stated that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the Cessna to taxi to the ramp. He said that he was then cleared to parking on the tower frequency, and added that the North American has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him, and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American AT6 stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems.

The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida, he turned on taxiway Q and crossed the hold short line and came to a complete stop in order to complete the "after landing checklist." He further stated that the North American impacted the tail of his airplane driving him forward about 5 feet.

The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q. He said the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. The Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. The controller further stated that when the Cessna had turned off the runway, he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred.

One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N57318
Reported as
North American AT-6A
Category
Airplane
Serial number
78-6680
Airframe hours
4,662
Engine
Pratt & Whitney R1340, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Randall S. Difani
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · April 10, 2002 · 46 hours before
Departed
MLB · Melbourne, FL
Destination
MLB
Airport
MLB · Melborne International
Registration
N522F
Reported as
Cessna 172K
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17258510
Airframe hours
7,275
Engine
Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Spectrum Aviation, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · December 9, 2002 · 10 hours before
Departed
DAB · Daytona Beach, FL
Destination
MLB · Melbourne, FL
Flight plan
Unknown
Airport
MLB · Melborne International

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 N57318
Age
55
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
January 4, 2001
Seat
Front
Flight hours
1,729 total · 1,342 in this make and model · 1,662 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days
Role
Pilot, aircraft N522F
Age
19
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
May 3, 2002
Seat
Left
Flight hours
123 total · 123 in this make and model · 86 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
300° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
57 °F, dew point 34 °F
Altimeter
30.12 inHg
Observed at
MLB

Docket · 5

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2003, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.8 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.