# NTSB SEA97LA045: Stinson 108-2, N9467K, Richland, WA, January 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 1997, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Richland, WA - Coordinates: 46.250484, -119.290092 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2505&lon=-119.2901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA045 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid an ultralight aircraft that was taxiing and had stopped in front of him. ## Analysis The pilot of the Stinson 108-2 was taxiing to runway 19 for departure. He was taxiing behind an ultralight aircraft, whose pilot elected to make an intersection departure from runway 25. The ultralight pilot transmitted his intention to make the intersection departure, and then stopped his aircraft on the runway where the taxiway to runway 19 crossed runway 25. The Stinson pilot heard the departure call, but did not realize the ultralight was departing from the intersection, so he continued to taxi across runway 25. As he entered the runway, he saw the ultralight immediately in front of him, and 'stood on' the brakes. The Stinson then tipped on its nose, and its right wing impacted the ultralight. ## Factual narrative On January 4, 1997, approximately 1430 Pacific standard time, a Stinson 108-2, N9467K, collided with a single-place ultralight while crossing runway 07/25 at Richland Airport, Richland, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the Stinson was not hurt, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the ultralight was also uninjured. The Stinson pilot was taxiing to runway 19 in order to depart on a CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight in the local area. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the Stinson pilot, both he and the ultralight pilot were taxiing north on the taxiway that runs parallel to runway 19/01. He had seen the ultralight ahead of him on the taxiway and assumed that the ultralight pilot was taxiing to the departure end of runway 19, just as he was. But instead, the ultralight stopped on the taxiway where it crosses runway 25, in order to execute an intersection departure on runway 25. According to the ultralight pilot, he made a radio transmission stating that he was making an intersection departure. The Stinson pilot said that although he heard the pilot of the ultralight announce his intention to depart on runway 25, he did not realize the pilot had announced an intersection departure. The Stinson pilot said that because of other activity in the immediate area, he was distracted and did not see the ultralight stop on the runway to prepare for departure. He saw the ultralight just prior to impact and applied hard braking. This resulted in the Stinson tipping up on its nose, at which time the right wing of the Stinson collided with the ultralight's structure and propeller. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9467K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9467K), registered now, S/N 108-2467, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2467 - Airframe hours: 3133 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawerence F. Wojdac - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: RLD - Airport: RLO, Richland ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 758 total, 78 in this make and model, 758 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970104023251A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970104023251A), Jan 4, 1997: Univar 1082, Richland, WA, Substantial damage. During taxi for takeoff collided with an ultralight that had stopped on taxiway for intersection takeoff. 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.