# NTSB MIA03LA038: North American AT-6A, N57318, Melbourne, FL, January 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 2003, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, FL - Coordinates: 28.102777, -80.645835 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1028&lon=-80.6458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56281/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56281 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA038 ## Probable cause (aircraft 3) 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. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - aircraft parked/standing - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis (aircraft 3) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 (aircraft 3) Same as for MIA03LA038A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: N57318 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: North American AT-6A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 78-6680 - Airframe hours: 4662 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 3 - Registration: [N522F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N522F), registered now, S/N 17258510, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258510 - Airframe hours: 7275 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N57318; age 55; injuries: none; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N522F; age 19; injuries: none; 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 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030104007011A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030104007011A), Jan 4, 2003: Namer AT6A, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) N57318, north American AT-6A, on January 4, 2003, about 1425 pm, collided on taxiway q with a Cessna 172P, N522F while the Cessna was standing still,… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56281. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 for N57318 (item 1, .PDF, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20for%20N57318-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 for N522F (item 2, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20for%20N522F-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: FAA Controller's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20FAA%20Controller%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies: Melbourne Airport Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%3A%20Melbourne%20Airport%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.