# NTSB NYC94LA141: Boeing Stearman PT-13, N2313, Readington, NJ, July 31, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1994, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Readington, NJ - Location: 40.5828° N, 74.7367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOLBERG/HUNTERDON (N51), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5828&lon=-74.7367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA141 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE TAXIING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - object - aircraft moving on ground (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft - object - aircraft moving on ground (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE NYC-94-L-A141A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: [N2313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2313-2016-03-04), registration cancelled 2016-03-04, S/N 75-7041, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman PT-13 - Registry model: [Boeing A75L300](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75l300) (registry code 1380132) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7041 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N7308H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7308H), registered now, S/N 20569, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-3 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20569 - Airframe hours: 3870 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N2313; age 59; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N7308H; age 76; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940731019751A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940731019751A), Jul 31, 1994: Boeing PT13, Readington, NJ, Minor damage. While turning onto runway for takeoff collided with N7308H that was back taxiing on same runway after landing. - [Accident 19940731019752A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940731019752A), Jul 31, 1994: Piper J3C65, Readington, NJ, Substantial damage. During back taxi on runway after landing collided with N2313 that was taxiing onto runway for takeoff. ## Other investigations on N2313 (3) 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. - [NTSB IAD01LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA079), Jul 15, 2001: Boeing A75L300 (N2313), Matawan, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate maintenance inspection of the airplane by its owner, which resulted in a locked brake and a nose-over during the takeoff roll. - [NTSB NYC88LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA164), Jun 11, 1988: Boeing A75N1 (N2313), Marlboro, NJ, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC74FHA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FHA05), Aug 4, 1973: Boeing A75N1 (N2313), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage 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.