- Date
- July 31, 1994, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place
- Readington, NJ
- Injuries
- 4 uninjured
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 7, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19940731019751A19940731019752A
- Case key
- 38803
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout.
The failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout while taxiing.
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.
Analysis
The stearman was taxiing onto the runway for takeoff, and the Piper J-3 was exiting the runway after landing and back taxiing on the runway. Neither pilot saw the other airplane. The propeller of the stearman impacted the right wing of the Piper. The collision occurred during an airshow, and both pilots were conducting sightseeing flights and performing multiple takeoffs and landings. The airport had no control tower.
The stearman was taxiing onto the runway for takeoff, and the Piper J-3 was exiting the runway after landing and back taxiing on the runway. Neither pilot saw the other airplane. The propeller of the stearman impacted the right wing of the Piper. The collision occurred during an airshow, and both pilots were conducting sightseeing flights and performing takeoffs and landings. The airport had no control tower.
Factual narrative
See narrative NYC-94-L-A141A
On Sunday, July 31, 1994, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Boeing-Stearman PT-13, N2313, piloted by Dominick J. Del Rosso, collided with a Piper J-3, N7308H, piloted by Louis G. Defazio, while taxiing for takeoff, in Readington, New Jersey. N2313 sustained minor damage, and N7308H was substantially damaged. Neither of the pilots, nor the two passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed. The flights were being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The accident occurred during an airshow at the Solberg- Hunterdon Airport. The pilots of both airplanes were conducting sightseeing operations, involving multiple takeoffs and landings. The J-3 had just landed on the grass strip and was back-taxiing to the parking area. The Boeing-Stearman was taxiing onto the runway for takeoff. Neither pilot saw the other airplane and the collision occurred. The airport had no control tower.
The pilots did not provide the names of the passengers.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N2313
- Reported as
- Boeing Stearman PT-13
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 75-7041
- Engine
- Lycoming R-680-13, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Dominick J. Del Rosso
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Airport
- N51 · Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
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.
- Registration
- N7308H
- Reported as
- Piper J-3
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 20569
- Airframe hours
- 3,870
- Engine
- Continental C-75-12F, 75 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Edward J. Del Rosso
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 5, 1994 · 20 hours before
- Airport
- N51 · Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
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 N2313
- Age
- 59
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 3,861 total · 2,000 in this make and model
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N7308H
- Age
- 76
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine sea
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 10,916 total · 1,000 in this make and model · 9,500 as pilot in command · 250 in the last 90 days · 75 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 2
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N2313 · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.