Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL97LA085

DAYTONA BEACH, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N7617F

Piper PA-28-151

Aircraft #2

N140ER

Socata TB-9

Analysis

According to information from the FAA, N7617F, a Piper PA-28, had landed and was proceeding northbound to the ramp via a north-south taxiway. N140ER, a Socata TB-9, was taxiing westbound on an east-west taxiway that was parallel to runway 7L and located on the north side of that runway. The taxiways intersected on the north side of runway 7L. The ground controller had cleared N7617F to cross runway 7L, but instructed the pilot (of N7617F) to 'give way' (hold short of the east-west taxiway) for N140ER to pass in front of him from right to left. According to tower personnel, N7617F failed to comply. Subsequently, the two airplanes converged, and the right wing of N7617F and the propeller of N140ER collided. The pilot of N7617F stated that when he saw the other airplane, he applied 'as much brakes as he could without losing control of the aircraft.' The pilots of N140ER (a flight instructor and student) heard the ground controller instruct N7617F to give way to them. When they realized the other airplane was not going to stop, the instructor applied brakes and tried to turn the airplane to avoid a collision.

Factual Information

On June 11, 1997, at 1053 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Piper PA-28-151, N7617F, and a Socata TB-9, N140ER, collided during taxi operations at Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. The personal flight of N7617F and the dual instructional flight of N140ER were conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. There were no flight plans filed for either N7167F or N140ER. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and passenger of N7617F sustained no injuries; the commercial flight instructor and student of N140ER sustained no injuries. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. N7617F departed Daytona Beach at 1030 for a local flight and was returning to the ramp at the time of the accident. N140ER was taxiing for departure for a local flight at the time of the accident. November and Whiskey taxiways intersect on the northwest side of the airport. According to the FAA, N7617F had landed on runway 7L and was proceeding northbound to the ramp via Whiskey taxiway, and N140ER was taxiing westbound for departure on November taxiway. The tower had cleared N7617F to hold short of the November taxiway in order to allow N140ER to pass in front of him from right to left. According to the tower, N7617F failed to comply and subsequently collided with N140ER. The right wing of N7617F struck the propeller of N140ER. According to the pilot of N7617F, he had just returned from a 45 minute local flight and landed on runway 7R. He stated that ground control informed him to taxi on taxiway Whiskey, and hold short of runway 7L, an active runway. He stated that he repeated the instructions back to ground control. As he was approaching 7L, ground cleared him to cross the runway. The pilot stated that he looked to see if there was other traffic on the runway before proceeding. After crossing the runway, he saw another airplane heading west on taxiway November. He stated that he tried to apply "as much brakes as he could without losing control of the aircraft." He stated that the propeller of the other airplane hit the right wing of his airplane. He then stopped and approached the other airplane and asked if anyone was hurt. After they replied "No.", he taxied to the jet center and awaited airport officials. He stated that ground control asked if anyone was hurt, and he replied "No." He reported that the FAA questioned him on the accident, and inquired if he heard ground control's transmission about the other airplane. He reported to them that he did not receive such a transmission. He further stated that he repeated all transmissions given by the air traffic controllers, and referenced the airport diagram note, "Readback of all runway holding instructions required." According to the pilot report, the right wing tip was damaged, and he classified it as minor. According to the instructor on N140ER, they were taxiing on the November taxiway, when they heard ground control instruct N7617F to give way to them. The instructor stated that as they "approached Whiskey intersection, the other airplane didn't appear to slow down, so he slowed down". He recalls his student telling him that the other airplane wasn't stopping, and that it was taxiing quite fast. The instructor stated that he fully applied the brakes and tried to turn the airplane. Subsequently, the wing of N7617F collided with the propeller of N140ER. He stated he then shut down the airplane and the pilot of N7617F exited his airplane, with the engine running, to inquire if they were okay. He also stated that the pilot of N7617F returned to his airplane and taxied to the jet center. He then stated that he heard ground ask N7617F if they had visual contact with N140ER; there was no response. The student in N140ER stated that they were taxiing on the November taxiway, and were crossing the Whiskey intersection, when the wing of N7617F collided with the nose of N140ER. According to the pilot report, N140ER sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowl, firewall, and forward skin of the fuselage. The report also stated that the engine stopped suddenly.

Probable Cause and Findings

failure of the pilot of N7617F to comply with an ATC instruction to hold short of a taxiway, and failure of the pilots in both airplanes to see-and-avoid each other's airplane.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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