SPARTANBURG, SC, USA
N711GT
CESSNA 172K
N83TH
PITTS S-2B
THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172K, N711GT TAXIED ONTO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. HE FAILED TO SEE THE PITTS S-2B, N83TH, ON FINAL APPROACH FOR THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO HIS TAXIING ONTO THE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT OF THE PITTS STATED THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE CESSNA TAXI ONTO THE RUNWAY AS A RESULT OF THE POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY IN THE PITTS. THE PITTS STRUCK THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE OF THE CESSNA DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE TWO AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA DID NOT POSSESS EITHER A VALID PILOT CERTIFICATE NOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
On April 17, 1994, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Pitts S-2B, N83TH, and a Cessna 172, N711GT collided on Runway 22 at the Spartanburg Airport, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Neither the private pilot of the Pitts, his passenger, nor, the non certificated pilot of the Cessna were injured in the accident. Both aircraft were being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by their respective pilots. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plans were filed for either aircraft. The Pitts had departed the Spartanburg Airport earlier in the day for a flight in the local area. The Cessna was in the process of taking off for a flight to Lincolnton, Georgia. The pilot of the Pitts stated that at the time of his turn from base to final approach, the Cessna was holding short of the runway. Due to the limited forward visibility of the aircraft during final approach, he did not see the Cessna taxi onto the runway. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after another aircraft landed, he taxied onto the runway for departure. He stated that he did not see the Pitts on final approach for the runway, and that he did not hear the Pitts on the radio. The pilot of the Cessna did not possess a valid pilot certificate or medical certificate. The pilot/operator of the Pitts failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
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