# NTSB MIA07LA026: Lingwall Rebich-Pitts, N427RD, Naples, FL, December 13, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 2006, 09:18 local (14:18 UTC)
- Place: Naples, FL
- Coordinates: 26.1666666666667, -81.7755555555556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1667&lon=-81.7756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07LA026

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The experimental airplane's pilot inadequate visual lookout while taxiing for takeoff, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a Piper airplane which was standing with its engine operating in the runup area.

## 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The pilot of N427RD, an experimental amateur-built airplane, stated that while taxiing for takeoff he made clearing turns, and mentally noted the airplanes in the run-up area. He said he observed one airplane taxiing into position for takeoff, and believing that he had accounted for all the airplanes, he continued to taxi. He said that his airplane's propeller struck the right wing of another airplane, N970AC, a Piper PA-28-161. Damage to the experimental airplane was minor, and the Piper incurred substantial damage to its right wing spar.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the N427RD, a John Lingwall model Rebich-Pitts, experimental amateur-built airplane, stated that  he was taxiing his single place aerobatic tailwheel airplane south on taxiway A for departure on runway 5. He stated that he made clearing turns, and mentally noted that there were airplanes in the run-up area. He said he observed one airplane taxiing into position for takeoff on runway 5, and believing that he had accounted for all the airplanes, he continued to taxi. He said that his airplane's propeller struck the right wing of another airplane, and it was at that moment that he realized there was another airplane that had been hidden from his view.

The flight instructor and student on N970AC, a Piper PA28-16, stated that they were stationary in the run-up area, and provided additional information which concurred with the pilot of the Pitts. Damage to the Pitts was minor, and the Piper incurred damage to its right wing spar.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N427RD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N427RD), registered now, S/N JL-102, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lingwall Rebich-Pitts
- Registry model: [Rebich Charles L PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/rebich-charles-l-pitts-s1s) (registry code 7221306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JL102
- Airframe hours: 1229
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe Haycraft Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 40 hours before
- Departed: APF, Naples, FL
- Destination: APF
- Airport: APF, Naples Municipal

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N970AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N970AC), registered now, S/N 28-8116113, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116113
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-02A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Naples Air center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: APF, Naples, FL
- Airport: APF, Naples Municipal, runway 5, 5,290 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N427RD; age 76; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: single; flight hours: 29,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 29,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor, aircraft N970AC; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 900 total, 300 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot, aircraft N970AC; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 7 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: APF

## 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 20061213028842A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061213028842A), Dec 13, 2006: Piper PA28161, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12/13/06 at Naples airport, Florida (apf) private pilot [privacy data omitted] was taxiing a pitts single place aerobatic tail wheel aircraft N427RD…

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.

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