SEA94LA130

NTSB accident investigation · Latter Christen Eagle II · Jackson Hole, WY · May 31, 1994

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 31, 1994, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC)
Place
Jackson Hole, WY
Injuries
2 minor, 1 uninjured
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N246RLLatter Christen Eagle IIN62463Cessna 172
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 25, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
41932

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The failure of the pilot of the christen eagle ii, N246RL, to see and avoid the Cessna 172, N62463, and the pilot of the christen eagle ii diverting his attention from operation of his airplane.

The failure of the pilot of the christen eagle ii, N246RL, to see and avoid the Cessna 172, N62463, and the pilot of the christen eagle ii diverting his attention from operation of his airplane.

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.

Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Taxi - to takeoff
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Diverted attentionPilot in commandCause
Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Standing - engine(s) operating
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot of other aircraftCause
Diverted attentionPilot of other aircraftCause

Analysis

While taxiing for takeoff, the pilot of the christen eagle ii, N246RL, became distracted when he looked into the cockpit to check the adjustment of the mixture control. When he looked up, it was too late to keep from hitting the Cessna 172, N62463, that was parked in the run-up area preparing for departure. The eagle ii pilot attempted to turn his aircraft to avoid the collision, but both right wings impacted the CE-172.

While taxiing for takeoff, the pilot of the christen eagle ii, N246RL, became distracted when he looked into the cockpit to check the adjustment of the mixture control. When he looked up, it was too late to keep from hitting the Cessna 172, N62463, that was parked in the run-up area preparing for departure. The eagle ii pilot attempted to turn his aircraft to avoid the collision, but both right wings impacted the CE-172.

Factual narrative

On May 31, 1994, approximately 0855 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Latter Christen Eagle II, N246RL, collided with a Cessna 172, N62463, in the run-up area for runway 18 at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming. The private pilot in the Eagle was not injured, but the certified flight instructor and his student in the 172 received minor injuries. The Eagle sustained substantial damage, and the 172 sustained minor damage. At the time of the accident, both aircraft were preparing to depart in visual meteorological conditions. Neither pilot had filed a flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot of the Eagle, he had looked into the cockpit while taxiing in order to check his mixture setting. When he looked back up, he realized that he was heading for a Cessna 172 that was parked in the run-up area preparing for departure. He was unable to stop his aircraft in time to keep both of his aircraft's right wings from impacting the 172.

On May 31, 1994, approximately 0855 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Latter Christen Eagle II, N246RL, collided with a Cessna 172, N62463, in the run-up area for runway 18 at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming. The private pilot in the Eagle was not injured, but the certified flight instructor and his student in the 172 received minor injuries. The Eagle sustained substantial damage, and the 172 sustained minor damage. At the time of the accident, both aircraft were preparing to depart in visual meteorological conditions. Neither pilot had filed a flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot of the Eagle, he had looked into the cockpit while taxiing in order to check his mixture setting. When he looked back up, he realized he was heading for a Cessna 172 that was parked in the run-up area preparing for departure. He was unable to stop his aircraft in time to keep both of the right wings of his aircraft from impacting the 172.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N246RL
Reported as
Latter Christen Eagle II (CHRISTEN E)
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
L-0026
Engine
Unknown UNKNOWN, unknown
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Denver Aircraft Corp.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Airport
JAC · Jackson Hole, runway 18

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
N62463
Reported as
Cessna 172
Category
Airplane
Serial number
2072436
Airframe hours
6,112
Engine
Lycoming O-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
J & H Aircraft Management
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
Last inspection
100 hour · April 19, 1994 · 58 hours before
Airport
JAC · Jackson Hole, runway 18

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 N246RL
Age
50
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
2,600 total
Role
Pilot, aircraft N62463
Age
44
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
890 total · 512 in this make and model · 876 as pilot in command · 105 in the last 90 days · 49 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
55 °F, dew point 37 °F

FAA reports on this event · 2

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