# NTSB SEA94LA130: Latter Christen Eagle II, N246RL, Jackson Hole, WY, May 31, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1994, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Jackson Hole, WY - Coordinates: 43.470073, -110.760025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4701&lon=-110.7600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA130 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) 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. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - diverted attention, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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 (aircraft 2) 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. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) 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 1 - Registration: [N246RL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N246RL), registered now, S/N L-0026, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LATTER CHRISTEN EAGLE II (CHRISTEN E) - Registry model: [Latter R F CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/latter-r-f-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 0565869) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: L-0026 - Engines: 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N62463](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62463-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 17275277, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2072436 - Airframe hours: 6112 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N246RL; age 50; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N62463; age 44; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940531018011A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940531018011A), May 31, 1994: Amtral EAGLE2, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. Taxied into a 172 N62463 that was on runup pad prior departure. Tail dragger is somewhat blind forward. - [Accident 19940531018012A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940531018012A), May 31, 1994: Cessna 172P, Jackson, WY, Minor damage. Was struck by a taxiing eagle 2 N246RL during engine runup prior to takeoff. Eagle 2 is tailwheel blind forward. 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.