# NTSB MIA95LA040: Cessna 208B, N927FE, Memphis, TN, December 15, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 15, 1994, 04:28 local (10:28 UTC) - Place: Memphis, TN - Coordinates: 35.030265, -90.009628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0303&lon=-90.0096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA040 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT OF CESSNA 208, N927FE TO SEE DOUGLAS DC3, N24320, AS HE TAXIED TO TAKEOFF DUE TO INOPERATIVE TAIL NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND BEACON LIGHTS ON THE DC3 AND DUE TO GLARE ON THE WET TAXIWAY. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT OF CESSNA 208, N927FE TO SEE DOUGLAS DC3, N24320, AS HE TAXIED TO TAKEOFF DUE TO INOPERATIVE TAIL NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND BEACON LIGHTS ON THE DC3 AND DUE TO GLARE ON THE WET TAXIWAY. ## 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 - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - exterior light(s) - inoperative (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - exterior light(s) - inoperative (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT OF CESSNA 208, N927FE, STATED THAT AS HE TAXIED TO RUNWAY 18L HE DID NOT SEE ANY AIRCRAFT EXCEPT AN AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS AT THE HOLD SHORT LINE. HE THEN NOTICED THE SILHOUETTE OF DOUGLAS DC3, N24320, AHEAD OF HIM BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THE TAIL NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND BEACON LIGHTS ON THE DC3 WERE NOT OPERATING. HE ALSO STATED THE TAXIWAY WAS WET AND THERE WAS A GLARE FROM LIGHTS ON A NEARBY RAMP. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF DC3 BY FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THE TAIL NAVIGATION AND BEACON LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT OF CESSNA 208, N927FE, STATED THAT AS HE TAXIED TO RUNWAY 18L HE DID NOT SEE ANY AIRCRAFT EXCEPT AN AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS AT THE HOLD SHORT LINE. HE THEN NOTICED THE SILHOUETTE OF DOUGLAS DC3, N24320, AHEAD OF HIM BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THE TAIL NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND BEACON LIGHTS ON THE DC3 WERE NOT OPERATING. HE ALSO STATED THE TAXIWAY WAS WET AND THERE WAS A GLARE FROM LIGHTS ON A NEARBY RAMP. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF DC3 BY FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THE TAIL NAVIGATION AND BEACON LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See narrative for MIA95LA040A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On December 15, 1994, about 0428 central standard time, a Cessna 208B, N927FE, registered to Federal Express Corporation, collided with a Douglas DC-3A, N24320, registered to McNeely Charter Service, while taxiing for takeoff at Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee. Both aircraft were operating as 14 CFR Part 135 nonscheduled cargo flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight was filed for both flights. Both aircraft received substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot on N927FE and the airline transport-rated pilot and commercial-rated copilot on N24320 were not injured. The flights were originating at the time of the accident. The pilot of N927FE stated that as he approached runway 18L he noticed the navigation lights of an aircraft that was at the hold short line. He did not observe any other navigation lights or aircraft between his aircraft and the aircraft which was holding short of runway 18L. He then noticed the silhouette of N24320 and attempted to stop before hitting the aircraft. He was unable to stop and veered to the right before impact with the right rear area of N24320. He stated that at the time of the collision the taxiway was wet and the lights from a nearby ramp caused a glare on the taxiway. He also stated that upon exiting his aircraft the tail navigation light and both beacon lights on N24320 were not operating. He banged on the tail of N24320 to get the pilot's attention. When he did this the tail light navigation light illuminated. Postcrash examination of N24320 by FAA inspectors indicated that the tail navigation light and both beacon lights were not operating. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N927FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N927FE), registered now, S/N 208B0027, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0027 - Airframe hours: 4279 - Engines: P&W PT6-114 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Baron Aviation Services - Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 3, 1994, 79 hours before - Departed: MEM - Destination: 81J, DESTIN, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MEM, Memphis International, runway 18L ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N24320](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24320), registered now, S/N 20197, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3A - Registry model: [Douglas DC-3A-S1C3G](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-3a-s1c3g) (registry code 3021440) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20197 - Airframe hours: 22550 - Engines: P&W R1830-92 1350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Mcneely Charter Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, November 12, 1994, 86 hours before - Departed: MEM - Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MEM, Memphis International, runway 18L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N927FE; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,900 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command - Pilot, aircraft N24320; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,060 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 1 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 19941215041651A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941215041651A), Dec 15, 1994: Cessna 208B, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. During taxi to runway for takeoff collided with tail of DC3 N24320 that was holding for takeoff with no tail light. - [Accident 19941215041652A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941215041652A), Dec 15, 1994: Doug DC3AS1C3G, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. While holding for takeoff right stabilizer was struck by taxiing 208 N927FE lighting bad in area. Tail lights inop. 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.