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NTSB Report
October 29, 1990 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · N972VJ
Columbus, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (49 uninjured)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Tail Number
N972VJ
Operator
Usair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC91LA021
AS THE DC-9 APPROACHED TAXIWAY C-4 THE CAPTAIN WAS ADVISED BY THE FIRST OFFICER THERE WAS A AIRPLANE OFF TO THEIR ELEVEN O'CLOCK POSITION. THE CAPTAIN APPLIED BRAKES, BUT COULD NOT STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF A CESSNA 310. THE DC-9 CAPTAIN SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY LIGHTS ON THE CESSNA. THE CESSNA PILOT SAID HE WAS SITTING IN POSITION TO TAKE THE RUNWAY FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM THE HOLD LINE WITH HIS ROTATING BEACON AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS ON. THE FAA DETERMINED THE DISTANCE FROM THE HOLD LINE ON TAXIWAY C-4 TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE TAXIWAY WAS 90'. HALF THE WIDTH OF THE DC-9 AND THE LENGTH OF THE CESSNA, PLUS THE 3 FEET FROM THE HOLD LINE (CESSNA'S POSITION), LEFT LITTLE ROOM FOR SEPARATION OF THE AIRPLANES.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE BY PILOTS OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT TO SEE AND ALTER TAXI PATH TO AVOID THE STANDING AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
AS THE DC-9 APPROACHED TAXIWAY C-4 THE CAPTAIN WAS ADVISED BY THE FIRST OFFICER THERE WAS A AIRPLANE OFF TO THEIR ELEVEN O'CLOCK POSITION. THE CAPTAIN APPLIED BRAKES, BUT COULD NOT STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF A CESSNA 310. THE DC-9 CAPTAIN SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY LIGHTS ON THE CESSNA. THE CESSNA PILOT SAID HE WAS SITTING IN POSITION TO TAKE THE RUNWAY FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM THE HOLD LINE WITH HIS ROTATING BEACON AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS ON. THE FAA DETERMINED THE DISTANCE FROM THE HOLD LINE ON TAXIWAY C-4 TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE TAXIWAY WAS 90'. HALF THE WIDTH OF THE DC-9 AND THE LENGTH OF THE CESSNA, PLUS THE 3 FEET FROM THE HOLD LINE (CESSNA'S POSITION), LEFT LITTLE ROOM FOR SEPARATION OF THE AIRPLANES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EST
Nearest AirportPort Columbus (0nm N)
Runway10R
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Tail NumberN972VJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUsair
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7A · Turbojet · 14000 | Continental · IO-520-M1B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats110
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (49 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured49
Total49
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Crew 2Age 24 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind220° @ 4 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:35