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December 29, 1995 · Classic Aircraft WACO YMF · N40115

Kailua Kona, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 29, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Kailua Kona, HI
Aircraft
Classic Aircraft WACO YMF
Tail Number
N40115
Operator
Barbara L Clever
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA092

A Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the Waco pilot to see and avoid the opposite direction Cessna 172 while both aircraft were taxiing in a non-movement area of the airport. Factors in the accident were: the congested nature of the taxi lane, which limited the Waco pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing; the Waco pilot's restricted forward visibility due to the landing gear configuration and engine cowling size; and the Cessna pilot's failure to attempt radio contact with the Waco when the danger of a collision became apparent.

Full Narrative

On December 29, 1995, at 1352 Hawaii standard time, a Classic Aircraft Waco YMF, N40115, collided with a Cessna 172N, N734ZC, while taxiing on the Kailua Kona, Hawaii, airport. The Waco YMF was owned and operated by Classic Aircraft Corporation of Kailua, and was returning from a local area for-hire sightseeing flight. The Cessna 172N was owned and operated by the pilot and was taxiing for takeoff on a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either operation. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and the two passengers onboard the Waco were not injured. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the Cessna 172N, was not injured. The collision occurred in an area of the airport designated as a non-movement ramp area, which is not under the control or supervision of the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. In verbal and written statements to responding airport security personnel and FAA inspectors, the pilot of the Waco said he entered the ramp area, which was unusually congested with parked aircraft. The proximity of the parked airplanes limited his ability to S-turn and resulted in limited forward visibility. The pilot reported that he did not see the Cessna in time to avoid the collision. The pilot of the Cessna 172N reported that she completed a run-up and entered the taxi lane on the ramp to proceed to the taxiway. After entering the taxi lane, she observed the Waco coming toward her aircraft and moved as far to the side as she could and stopped the aircraft. The pilot said she did not attempt any radio communications with the Waco. The Waco's left wing strut brace contacted the left wing of the Cessna. Neither the pilot nor the operator of the Waco have responded to repeated requests to complete an aircraft accident report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:52 HST
Nearest AirportKeahole International (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftClassic Aircraft WACO YMF
Tail NumberN40115
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBarbara L Clever
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R-755B2 · Reciprocating · 315 | Lycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data