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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

July 28, 1993 · Commander 114B · N579CA

Fond Du Lac, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Fond Du Lac, WI
Aircraft
Commander 114B
Tail Number
N579CA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA294

WHILE TAXIING IN FROM LANDING THE PILOT OF THE F-51 WAS UNABLE TO MAKE NORMAL 'S' TURNS DUE TO AIRPLANES PARKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TAXIWAY. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT THE CONTROL TOWER HE CONTINUED TO TAXI FORWARD. THE COMMANDER 114B WAS TAXIING IN FRONT OF THE F-51 AND WHILE THE PILOT OF THE F- 51'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED INSIDE THE AIRPLANE THE F-51 OVERTOOK THE COMMANDER 114B AND COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL OF THE COMMANDER 114B.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command of the F-51's diverted attention and failure to maintain a visual outlook.

Full Narrative

On July 28, 1993, at 1840 central daylight time, a North American F-51, N6327T, registered to Richard P. James of Fennimore, Wisconsin, collided with an Aero Commander 114B, N579CA, registered to Commander Aircraft Company of Bethany, Oklahoma, while taxiing from landing on runway 27 at Fond Du Lac County Airport, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. The F-51 received minor damage while the 114B sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the F-51 and the pilot and three passengers in the 114B reported no injuries. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The F-51 had last departed Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, at 1820. The Commander 114B had last departed Saint Paul, Minnesota, at 1700. This accident occurred during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association's convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The arrivals and departures at Fond Du Lac County Airport were controlled by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporary air traffic control tower; however, ground operations were being handled by flagmen on the taxiways. According to the statement by the pilot of the F-51, after landing on runway 27 and taxiing off the runway at the west end, he began to taxi eastbound behind approximately three other airplanes. He stated that airplanes were parked on both sides of the taxiway and prevented him from making normal S-turns. Due to the difficulty in maintaining a visual outlook ahead of the F-51, he decided to contact the tower by radio for assistance. The airplane continued to move forward while his attention was diverted to communicating on the radio and the F-51 collided with the tail of the Aero Commander 114B. The pilot of the Aero Commander 114B stated he landed on runway 27. After taxing off the runway onto the taxiway at center field, the flagman waved him to taxi in front of the F-51. He stated that as he taxied eastbound the F-51 overtook his airplane and the propeller of the F-51 collided with the tail of the Aero Commander 114B.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 CDT
Nearest AirportFond Du Lac County (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCommander 114B
Tail NumberN579CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMerlin · V-1650-9A · Reciprocating · 1650 | Lycoming · IO-540-T4B526 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:40
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data