# NTSB NYC93LA074: Piper PA-28-180, N3866R, Pawtucket, RI, April 7, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 1993, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Pawtucket, RI - Location: 41.9207° N, 71.4914° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NORTH CENTRAL STATE (SFZ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9207&lon=-71.4914&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA074 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID, RESULTING IN A GROUND COLLISION BETWEEN THEIR TWO AIRPLANES. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID, RESULTING IN A GROUND COLLISION BETWEEN THEIR TWO AIRPLANES. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - identification of aircraft visually - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - aircraft moving on ground - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - identification of aircraft visually - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - aircraft moving on ground - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) TAYLORCRAFT, N43645, HAD LANDED ON RUNWAY 05. PIPER PA-28-180, N3866R, HAD LANDED ON RUNWAY 15. THE TAYLORCRAFT HAD COMPLETED ITS LANDING ROLL AND WAS AT TAXI SPEED AS IT ENTERED THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 05 AND 15. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND TURN THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID HITTING THE TAYLORCRAFT, BUT HIS AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TAYLORCRAFT IN THE TAIL WITH THE PROPELLER AND LEFT WING WHILE BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE IN THE INTERSECTIONS. THE TAYLORCRAFT PILOT SAID HE WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR ABOUT ONE HALF HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, PRACTICING LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. THE PIPER PILOT HAD FLOWN INTO THE AIRPORT PATTERN FOR ANOTHER AIRPORT. BOTH PILOTS SAID THEY ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTIONS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE WEATHER REPORTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM A DIRECTION THAT EITHER RUNWAY COULD HAVE BEEN USED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT NO LANDING RUNWAY INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE BY RADIO BECAUSE THE UNICOM WAS NOT IN USE. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) TAYLORCRAFT, N43645, HAD LANDED ON RUNWAY 05. PIPER PA-28-180, N3866R, HAD LANDED ON RUNWAY 15. THE TAYLORCRAFT HAD COMPLETED ITS LANDING ROLL AND WAS AT TAXI SPEED AS IT ENTERED THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 05 AND 15. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND TURN THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID HITTING THE TAYLORCRAFT, BUT HIS AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TAYLORCRAFT IN THE TAIL WITH THE PROPELLER AND LEFT WING, WHILE BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE IN THE INTERSECTIONS. THE TAYLORCRAFT PILOT SAID HE WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR ABOUT ONE HALF HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, PRACTICING LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. THE PIPER PILOT HAD FLOWN INTO THE AIRPORT PATTERN FROM ANOTHER AIRPORT. BOTH PILOTS SAID THEY ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTIONS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE WEATHER REPORTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM A DIRECTION THAT EITHER RUNWAY COULD HAVE BEEN USED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT NO LANDING RUNWAY INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE BY RADIO BECAUSE THE UNICOM WAS NOT IN USE. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE BLOCK #12 FOR FILE NYC93LA074A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On Wednesday, April 7, 1993, at about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 28 180, N3866R, piloted by Mr. William Durgin, collided with a Taylorcraft BC 12D, N43645, piloted by Mr. Peter Bolinsky, during the landing roll at North Central State Airport, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The Piper received minor damage and the Taylorcraft was substantially damaged. There were no injuries on the Piper and the two occupants of the Taylorcraft were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plans had been filed. The flights were being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The Taylorcraft, N43645, had landed on runway 05 and was taxiing across the intersection of runways 05 and 15 at a slow speed to the parking area. Piper, N3866R, landed on runway 15. The Taylorcraft pilot saw the Piper approach to his left at a 45 degree angle and added power. As the Taylorcraft accelerated the propeller and left wing of the Piper struck the Taylorcraft in the tail area. The pilot of the Taylorcraft said he was in the local pattern for about 30 minutes prior to the accident and according to the pilot, "...aircraft never left airport pattern RW 5 continually in use during this time by this aircraft (43645) and other pilots..." While on downwind, the pilot of the Taylorcraft heard the pilot of the Piper announce that he intended to land at North Central. The Taylorcraft pilot said, "...I assumed the aircraft was behind since no aircraft were in front or to the side of me...I announced my position (via radio hand held Terra)...turning base leg to RW 5...final approach...and area scanned for aircraft..." The Taylorcraft pilot landed and during roll out at a slow speed crossed the intersection of runways 5/15, when he saw the Piper approaching from the left. He attempted to accelerate with the throttle, but his airplane was struck in the rear by the Piper. Piper, N3866R, departed from the Worcester, MA at approximately 1230. The pilot of N3866R said he tried to make radio contact over the Unicom frequency at North Central, but "...there was no response and no traffic using the frequency..." According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: "...other airports were heard on the frequency. All seemed to be landing to the south...I noticed a smokestake [sic] with smoke blowing towards the North and tentatively selected runway 15 for landing. At five miles out...I announced to local traffic my intention of entering left downwind for runway 15. I flew directly towards the field searching for traffic and turned so as to pass just to the east...I saw no traffic...I announced...I was east of the field and would enter a left downwind for runway 15. I swung more east, turned back toward the field...began 45 degree entry...announced that I was entering the left downwind for 15. I announced...left base for 15...another aircraft called from about 10 miles out...there was no Unicom response and no other North Central traffic. I announced my turn to final on 15...On touchdown, I saw the Taylorcraft touching down on runway 05. I applied my brakes and attempted to avoid the Taylorcraft...I thought it would stop...its speed was not decreasing. I tried to swing right to pass behind the Taylorcraft there [but] was contact between my propeller and left wing its tail at the intersection of the runways. I was traveling approximately 15 to 20 mph at the time..." FAA Inspector, Jim Volner said: "...according to statements of the pilots and witness, both had just landed. The Taylorcraft...had completed its landing roll and was at taxi speed...[pilot] heard Cherokee [Piper], on his portable radio, approaching the airport...Taylorcraft pilot did not clear the intersection before proceeding through. The resulting lack of timely "see and avoid" procedures caused the Taylorcraft to continue into the intersection as the landing Piper attempted to stop. The Cherokee [Piper] also did not "see and avoid" by observing the Taylorcraft while flying the airport traffic pattern. The Taylorcraft had been practicing take offs and landings for the previous half hour...at the airport...the Cherokee [Piper] pilot indicated he flew a correct pattern for...runway 15...he claims he made radio calls and flew accepted patterns, at no time was there any indication whether the Taylorcraft was observed. Had the Cherokee [Piper] flown as stated, I find it difficult to believe the Taylorcraft would not have been seen at some point. Although speculation, it is my opinion that the Cherokee [Piper] was flown "straight in". The aircraft departed Worcester, Massachusetts, enroute to North Central...which would have been on a direct heading to runway 15...AWOS...in use at the time...[indicated] the winds were from a direction that either runway could have been equally used. No landing runway information was available...Unicom was not in use at the time..." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3866R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3866R), registered now, S/N 28-5845, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-5845 - Airframe hours: 3632 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William Durgin - Registered owner: William Durgin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1992, 44 hours before - Departed: ORH, WORCHESTER, MA - Destination: SFZ - Airport: SFZ, North Central State, runway 15, 3,210 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N43645](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43645), registered now, S/N 7304 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC 12D - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7304 - Airframe hours: 2103 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter Belinsky - Registered owner: Peter Belinsky - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1992, 29 hours before - Departed: SFZ - Destination: SFZ - Airport: SFZ, North Central State, runway 5, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3866R; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 385 total, 343 in this make and model, 346 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N43645; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 358 total, 36 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19930407051661A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930407051661A), Apr 7, 1993: Piper PA28180, Pawtucket, RI, Minor damage. During landing rwy 15 collided at intersection rwy 5 with tail of N43645 that landed on rwy 5. Not seen in time. - [Accident 19930407051662A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930407051662A), Apr 7, 1993: Tcraft BC12D, Pawtucket, RI, Substantial damage. During landing on rwy 5 was struck in tail by N3866R at intersection on rwy 15. Landing on rwy 15. Saw it too late. 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.