# NTSB WPR11LA477: Starduster II SA-300, N23UT, West Jordan, UT, September 24, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 2011, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: West Jordan, UT
- Coordinates: 40.619445, -111.992774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6194&lon=-111.9928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA477
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81971/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81971
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA477

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the other airplane's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with the standing airplane.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in a collision with the standing airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Starduster II SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=86601MK), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Starduster II SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=86601MK), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The Starduster pilot was taxiing for departure. Due to the tailwheel configuration of the airplane, he had limited visibility when taxiing, and the airplane was not equipped with a radio. When the pilot began the taxi, he noted two airplanes in the run-up area, and he later saw them depart. Unknown to him, there was a third airplane parked in the run-up area. As the Starduster approached the run-up area, the passenger began waving his hands; however, the Starduster impacted the right wing of the parked Cessna.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The Starduster pilot was taxiing for departure. Due to the tailwheel configuration of the airplane he had limited visibility when taxiing, and the airplane was not equipped with a radio. When the pilot began the taxi, he noted two airplanes in the run-up area, and he later saw them depart. Unknown to him, there was a third airplane parked in the run-up area. As the Starduster approached the run-up area, the passenger began waving his hands; however, the Starduster impacted the right wing of the parked Cessna.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On September 24, 2011, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Starduster II SA-300, N23UT, collided with a Cessna 152, N6357Q, while taxiing to the runup area at South Valley Regional Airport, West Jordan, Utah. The Starduster sustained minor damage and the Cessna sustained substantial damage. There were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. The airplanes were being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either flight. The pilot in the Starduster indicated that to the conventional gear configuration, visibility from the airplane is limited and the airplane was not equipped with a radio. As he taxied to the runup area he saw two airplanes in the runup area. He then saw the two airplanes depart. As the pilot approached the runup area and slowed the airplane, his passenger began waving his hands. The Starduster then impacted the Cessna parked in the runup area. According to the flight instructor in the Cessna, he was conducting a flight review. They were parked in the runup area completing a runup. He looked up from the instruments and saw the Starduster taxiing toward the Cessna. Shortly thereafter, the propeller of the Starduster impacted the outer portion of the Cessna's right wing, resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On September 24, 2011, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Starduster II SA-300, N23UT, collided with a Cessna 152, N6357Q, while taxiing to the runup area at South Valley Regional Airport, West Jordan, Utah. The Starduster sustained minor damage and the Cessna sustained substantial damage. There were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. The airplanes were being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either flight. The pilot in the Starduster indicated that to the conventional gear configuration, visibility from the airplane is limited and the airplane was not equipped with a radio. As he taxied to the runup area he saw two airplanes in the runup area. He then saw the two airplanes depart. As the pilot approached the runup area and slowed the airplane, his passenger began waving his hands. The Starduster then impacted the Cessna parked in the runup area. According to the flight instructor in the Cessna, he was conducting a flight review. They were parked in the runup area completing a runup. He looked up from the instruments and saw the Starduster taxiing toward the Cessna. Shortly thereafter, the propeller of the Starduster impacted the outer portion of the Cessna's right wing, resulting in substantial damage.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N23UT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23UT-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 182, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARDUSTER II SA-300
- Registry model: [Starduster II SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/starduster-ii-sa-300) (registry code 86601MK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 182
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Starduster LLC
- Registered owner: Starduster LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2011, 7 hours before
- Departed: U42, Salt Lake City, UT
- Destination: Salt Lake City, UT
- Airport: U42, South Valley Regional Airport

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N6357Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6357Q), registered now, S/N 15285235, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285235
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Private Pilot Flyers LLC
- Registered owner: Private Pilot Flyers LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: U42, Salt Lake City, UT
- Destination: U42, Salt Lake City, UT
- Airport: U42, South Valley Regional Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N23UT; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,600 total, 270 in this make and model
- Flight instructor, aircraft N6357Q; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 18,000 total, 11,000 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N6357Q; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20110924021051I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110924021051I), Sep 24, 2011: Starduster II SA-300, South Jordan, UT, Minor damage. When taxiing to the runway, the pilot observed two other aircraft in the runnup area. When they left, he began scanning his gauges for his takeoff check,…
- [Accident 20110924021061A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110924021061A), Sep 24, 2011: Cessna 152, South Jordan, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot taxiied infront of a biplane while they were checking instruments for takeoff and was not seen. Pilot began runnup and then his planes right wing was…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81971. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1- Starduster (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-%20Starduster-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1- Cessna (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-%20Cessna-Redacted.PDF

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.

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