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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 28, 1994 · Cessna 310R · N3844C

Memphis, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Memphis, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N3844C
Operator
Ras
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA045

N3844C (A CESSNA 310R) LANDED ON RUNWAY 36R AT MEM, AS N2069C (A BEECH E18S) WAS TAXIING FROM THE UPS RAMP TO THE AMR COMBS SOUTH RAMP. THE CESSNA STAYED WITH MEM TOWER AFTER CLEAR OF RUNWAY 36R, AND WAS CLEARED TO TAXI TO THE AMR COMBS SOUTH RAMP. MEM GROUND, WHO WAS WORKING THE BEECH 18, DIRECTED THE BEECH TO GIVE WAY TO THE CESSNA, AS THEY WERE NOT IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE CESSNA. THE BEECH 18 PILOT SAW THE CESSNA, WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS TAXIING TO THE AMR COMBS NORTH RAMP. ACCORDING TO TWO MARSHALLERS ON THE RAMP AND THE CESSNA PILOT, THE BEECH 18 COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA FROM THE LEFT, REAR SIDE. THE MARSHALLERS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE BEECH 18 HAD ONLY THE STROBE LIGHT ON WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED; THE POSITION AND TAXI LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE BEECH 18 PILOT REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE CESSNA WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N2069C TO FOLLOW THE ATC DIRECTIVE TO GIVE WAY TO N3844C, AND THE INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF N2069C. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On January 27, 1994, at 2130 central standard time, a Cessna 310R, N3844C, and a Beech E18S, N2069C, collided while taxiing at the Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee. The airline transport pilot of N3844C and the commercial pilot of N2069C were not injured. There was substantial damage to N3844C; the damage to N2069C was minor. N3844C was operated by RAS, Inc., and N2069C was operated by Springdale Air Service, Inc. N3844C was operating under 14 CFR Part 135 at the time of the accident, while N2069C was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Night, visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight of N3844C originated in Meridian, Mississippi, at 2020. N2069C was repositioning on the airfield after unloading cargo. The pilot of the Cessna 310R, N3844C, reported the following: He requested to land long on Runway 36, which was approved by Memphis Tower. After landing, he was instructed to taxi to the end of the runway, then taxi to the ramp (AMR Combs Ramp), while remaining on the tower frequency. He taxied clear of the runway and proceeded toward the AMR South ramp. He observed a Beech Baron coming out of the ramp area, and turned slightly to the right. He then slowed the aircraft and began looking for a ramp lineman. As he was taxiing into the ramp area, he felt the aircraft shake, and heard a loud noise. He turned around and saw the Beech 18 (N2069C) at his 7 to 8 o'clock position. The pilot of the Beech E18S, N2069C, reported the following: After unloading cargo, he called Memphis Ground Control and requested to taxi from the United Parcel Service Ramp to AMR Combs South Ramp. He was cleared to reposition as requested. While taxiing north on Taxiway Charley, he observed a Cessna 310 on landing roll, runway 36. The ground controller then directed him to give way to the Cessna 310, and that the ground controller was not talking to him (The Cessna 310). He then stopped and waited while the Cessna exited the runway. He then observed the Cessna taxi to the north, as if he was going to the AMR North ramp. When he thought the Cessna was taxiing to the north of his position, he turned west and proceeded into the AMR South ramp area. He observed a marshaller directly in front of him, who waved him to the north, and another marshaller began running northward across the ramp. He then turned about 45 degrees to the right, and slowed his taxi speed to allow the second marshaller to reach his parking spot. As the marshaller set up to direct him in, the Cessna "taxied through my right prop, striking the left wing tip." One of the two AMR Combs marshallers reported that the Cessna was taxiing toward him at 3 to 5 miles per hour, when the Beech 18 hit the Cessna about 30 feet short of the ramp, while still on Taxiway Charley. The impact was to the left wing, and the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna. He stated that he did not see the Beech until the moment of impact, because the Beech "didn't have any lights on." After the impact, the Cessna continued toward him and was parked, while the Beech stopped at the location of impact. The other marshaller saw the Cessna coming from the far runway, and thought that it was the Beech 18. She reported that "The Beech 18 just kept going into the back of it (the Cessna)." She reported that the Beech did not have any external lights on, only the strobe light, and that she did not see him (the Beech) until it was too late. The pilot of the Beech E18S reported to an airport policeman that he did not see the Cessna just prior to the impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 CST
Nearest AirportMemphis International (0nm)
Runway36R
Runway Length8400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN3844C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRas
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-M1 · Reciprocating · 285 | P&W · R-985-AN14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Crew 2Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data