Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC02LA141

Dayton, OH, USA

Aircraft #1

N29988

Waco UPF-7

Aircraft #2

N430DC

Clark KitFox IV

Analysis

After landing on the grass area adjacent to the paved runway, the Kitfox pilot taxied his airplane eastbound, where he "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach. The pilot then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway. As the KitFox entered onto the runway, it was struck by another airplane, which was on rollout from landing. The landing airplane was not equipped with a communications radio or a landing light. The airport traffic area was uncontrolled. The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included visibility of 6 miles and haze.

Factual Information

On July 17, 2002, about 1525 eastern daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N29988, was substantially damaged when it collided with another airplane, while landing at the Moraine Airpark, Dayton, Ohio. The other airplane, a homebuilt KitFox IV, N430DC, was also substantially damaged. The Pilot and two passengers of the Waco received minor injuries, while the pilot of the KitFox was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either airplane, which were operated under 14 CFR Part 91 on local flights. According to the pilot of the KitFox, he had landed on the grass area adjacent to runway 26, a 3,500-foot-long, 65-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The KitFox was taxied eastbound on the grass, where the pilot "looked down the runway," observing that there was no traffic on the runway or on final approach. He then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was going to "back taxi" on the active runway. As the KitFox entered onto runway 26, it was struck by the Waco, which was on rollout from landing. The pilot of the Waco stated that, during his approach to the airport, he observed the Kitfox in the grass area adjacent to the left side of the runway. The next time he observed the Kitfox, it was on the runway, with no time to take evasive action. According to the Waco pilot, the Waco was not equipped with a communications radio, or a landing light. Moraine Airpark was an uncontrolled airport. The weather reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 220 degrees at 8 knots, and a visibility of 6 miles and haze.

Probable Cause and Findings

The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the Kitfox. Factors related to the accident were the non-radio equipped Waco, and the hazy visual conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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