Logston Starduster SA100DL N35RL accident, Arlington, WA, Jul 11, 2004 · NTSB SEA04LA129

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance during taxi from another aircraft standing on the runway resulting in a collision. The aircraft standing on the runway was a factor.

Clearance was not maintained during taxi to the runway by the pilot of another aircraft which resulted in an on ground collision with the aircraft standing on the runway. The aircraft standing on the runway was a factor.

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.

On ground/water collision with objectTaxi

Clearance - not maintainedPilot of other aircraftCause

Object - aircraft parked/standingFactor

On ground/water collision with objectTaxi

Object - aircraft parked/standingFactor

Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The pilot of the Starduster SA100DL reported that he and the pilot of a Starduster SA300 were to be a flight of two for takeoff. The pilot reported that he was in the lead during the taxi to runway 34, with the Starduster SA300 trailing. The pilot of the Starduster SA100DL was waived onto the runway by one of several flagmen that were directing aircraft for takeoff. This was the end of the air show that had been ongoing for several days. Flagmen were used to direct aircraft from parking, taxi and takeoff. The Starduster SA100DL pilot reported that a flagman on the runway waived him to the right side of the runway centerline and then a second flagman motioned him to a point to stop. A few seconds after he stopped at the designated point, the trailing Starduster SA300 collided into the left wings of the Starduster SA100DL. The pilot of the Starduster SA300 reported that the flagmen on the runway did not let the aircraft enter the runway the same as they had been doing during the air show for a flight of two. The preceding aircraft was stopped shorter than they had been doing. When the pilot of the Starduster SA300 was waived on, his aircraft collided with the left wings of the preceding Starduster SA100DL.

Factual narrative

On July 10, 2004, about 1735 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Fitz Starduster SA300, N328SF collided with an experimental Logston Starduster SA100DL, N35RL, while both aircraft were taxiing onto the runway at Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. Both aircraft were owned and piloted by the private pilots as 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either aircraft. The Starduster SA300 received minor damage while Starduster SA100DL was substantially damaged. Neither pilot was injured. The aircraft were preparing for departure as a flight of two with a destination to Hoquiam, Washington.

In a written statement, the pilot of the Starduster SA100DL reported that he and the pilot of a Starduster SA300 were to be a flight of two for takeoff. The pilot reported that he was in the lead during the taxi to runway 34, with the Starduster SA300 trailing. The pilot of the Starduster SA100DL was waived onto the runway by one of several flagmen that were directing aircraft for takeoff. This was the end of the air show that had been ongoing for several days. Flagmen were used to direct aircraft from parking, taxi and takeoff. The Starduster SA100DL pilot reported that a flagman on the runway waived him to the right side of the runway centerline and then a second flagman motioned him to a point to stop. A few seconds after he stopped at the designated point, the trailing Starduster SA300 collided into the left wings of the Starduster SA100DL.

In a written statement, the pilot of the Starduster SA300 reported that the flagmen on the runway did not let the aircraft enter the runway the same as they had been doing during the air show for a flight of two. The preceding aircraft was stopped shorter than they had been doing. When the pilot of the Starduster SA300 was waived on, his aircraft collided with the left wings of the preceding Starduster SA100DL.

Both top and bottom left wing spars of the Starduster SA100DL were broken, as well as ribs, flying wire and cable. The Starduster SA300 received minor damage.

On July 10, 2004, about 1735 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Fitz Starduster SA300, N328SF collided with an experimental Logston Starduster SA100DL, N35RL, while both aircraft were taxiing onto the runway at Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. Both aircraft were owned and piloted by the private pilots as 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either aircraft. The Starduster SA300 received minor damage while Starduster SA100DL was substantially damaged. Neither pilot was injured. The aircraft were preparing for departure as a flight of two with a destination to Hoquiam, Washington.

In a written statement, the pilot of the Starduster SA100DL reported that he and the pilot of a Starduster SA300 were to be a flight of two for takeoff. The pilot reported that he was in the lead during the taxi to runway 34, with the Starduster SA300 trailing. The pilot of the Starduster SA100DL was waived onto the runway by one of several flagmen that were directing aircraft for takeoff. This was the end of the air show that had been ongoing for several days. Flagmen were used to direct aircraft from parking, taxi and takeoff. The Starduster SA100DL pilot reported that a flagman on the runway waived him to the right side of the runway centerline and then a second flagman motioned him to a point to stop. A few seconds after he stopped at the designated point, the trailing Starduster SA300 collided into the left wings of the Starduster SA100DL.

In a written statement, the pilot of the Starduster SA300 reported that the flagmen on the runway did not let the aircraft enter the runway the same as they had been doing during the air show for a flight of two. The preceding aircraft was stopped shorter than they had been doing. When the pilot of the Starduster SA300 was waived on, his aircraft collided with the left wings of the preceding Starduster SA100DL.

Both top and bottom left wing spars of the Starduster SA100DL were broken, as well as ribs, flying wire and cable. The Starduster SA300 received minor damage.

Aircraft · 2

Registration: N35RL
Reported as: Logston Starduster SA100DL
Category: Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number: SA100DL-1
Airframe hours: 280
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Richard E. Logston
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection: Annual · June 12, 2004 · 3 hours before
Departed: AWO · Arlington, WA
Destination: HQM · Hoquiam, WA
Airport: AWO · Arlington Municipal, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt

N35RLRegistered now · Logston Richard E STARDUSTER SA100DLS/N SA100DL-1 Airframe modelLogston Richard E STARDUSTER SA100DL

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: N328SF
Reported as: Fitz Starduster SA300
Category: Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number: 1078
Airframe hours: 421
Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-B1B, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Minor damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Stanley C. Fitz
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection: Annual · February 25, 2004 · 21 hours before
Departed: AWO · Arlington, WA
Destination: HQM · Hoquiam, WA
Airport: AWO · Arlington Municipal, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt

N328SFRegistration cancelled Sep 23, 2005 · Fitz Stanley C STARDUSTER SA300S/N 1078 Airframe modelFitz Stanley C STARDUSTER SA300 Engine modelAmateur-built UNKNOWN ENG

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 N35RL
Age: 69
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review: August 31, 2002
Seat: Center
Flight hours: 1,400 total · 300 in this make and model · 10 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days

Role: Pilot, aircraft N328SF
Age: 76
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review: June 25, 2003
Seat: Rear
Flight hours: 1,912 total · 563 in this make and model · 12 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 200° at 3 knots
Visibility: 9 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
Observed at: AWO

FAA reports on this event · 2

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20040711014039AAmtr SA100DL · Arlington, WA(-23) Mr. Logston was the pilot-in-command of the lead aircraft in a flight of two planning to depart the Arlington Municipal Airport. A temporary tower was operating, and controllers were using hand signals to facilitate departures in lieu of VHF…Jul 11, 2004 · N35RL · Substantial damage Accident 20040711014029AAmtr STARDUSTR300 · Arlington, WA(-23) Mr. Fitz was the pilot-in-command of the second (trailing) aircraft in a flight of two planning to depart the Arlington Municipal Airport. A temporary tower was operating, and controllers were using hand signals to faciliatate departures in lieu of VHF…Jul 11, 2004 · N328SF · Minor damage