# NTSB WPR19TA068: Pitts S1, N31WK, Torrance, CA, January 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: January 19, 2019, 08:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.801387, -118.341941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8014&lon=-118.3419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 98842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19TA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA068 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while taxing, which resulted in a ground collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-1T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2210310), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-1T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2210310), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-1T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2210310), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mason Gerald W VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=05609BZ), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mason Gerald W VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05609BZ), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mason Gerald W VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=05609BZ), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-1T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2210310), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-1T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2210310), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mason Gerald W VARIEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05609BZ), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane had landed and was taxiing to his hangar while monitoring the control tower frequency. The pilot did not perform S-turns during his taxi and was not informed of another airplane in his proximity. The pilot of a low-wing airplane was parked near a movement boundary area. He watched the biplane taxi down the taxiway without performing S-turns. The pilot of the low-wing airplane had previously contacted the ground controller and was not informed of the taxiing biplane. The biplane impacted the low-wing airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the low-wing airplane and minor damage to the biplane. The pilot of the biplane stated that he had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On January 19, 2019, at 0850 Pacific standard time, an Aviat Pitts S-1T, N31WK, collided with an experimental Rutan VariEze, N27GM, while taxiing at Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The pilot of the Pitts was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot of the VariEze sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. According to the pilot of the VariEze, he had taxied from his hangar to an area just short of the movement boundary area past the east end of taxiway alpha. At this point, the pilot made his initial radio transmission to ground control for clearance to taxi to the runway. After a second radio transmission, the pilot saw the Pitts taxiing in his direction on taxiway A. The pilot stated that the airplane was directly on centerline and was not performing S-turns. He had also not received any radio transmissions from the ground controller and was not concerned as it was common for airplanes to taxi back to runway 29 via A and make a turn at taxiway J, which was before his location; however, when the Pitts passed the turn to J, he realized that a collision was imminent. The pilot stated that his airplane was stationary at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot of the Pitts, after landing, he reported to the tower controller’s query that he was going to the east T-hangars. He was instructed to taxi via taxiways F and A to the hangars and to remain on tower frequency. The pilot stated that he was not notified of his proximity to the other airplane. The pilot reported that his airplane had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N31WK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31WK), registered now, S/N 1060, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S1 (T) - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-1T](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-1t) (registry code 2210310) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1060 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 348.5 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2018 - Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA - Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field - Equipment: None ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N27GM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27GM), registered now, S/N 1053, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rutan VARIEZE (No Series) - Registry model: [Mason Gerald W VARIEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/mason-gerald-w-varieze) (registry code 05609BZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1053 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 1167 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 13, 2018 - Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA - Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N31WK; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2019; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,500 total, 310 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N27GM; age 28; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 124 total, 41 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 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: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: TOA ## 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 20190119017572A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190119017572A), Jan 19, 2019: Aviat Inc PITTS S-1T, Torrance, CA, Minor damage. N31WK landed on runway 29L and cleared the runway. After coordinating with ground control, tower issued taxi instructions to N21WK to taxi via alpha the east t… - [Accident 20190119017722A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190119017722A), Jan 19, 2019: Mason Gerald W VARIEZE, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. N81WK landed on runway 29L and cleared the runway. After coordinating with ground control, tower issued taxi instructions (on tower frequency) to N21WK to taxi… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98842. 10.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N27GM) (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8557474&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N27GM%20VariEze%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N31WK) (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8557263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N31WK%20Pitts%206120_Redacted-Rel.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. --- 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.