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NTSB Report

July 31, 1989 · Ryan PT-22 · N54403

Oshkosh, WI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Aircraft
Ryan PT-22
Tail Number
N54403
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89FA154

DRG AN ANNUAL EXPERIMENTAL ACFT ASSOC (EAA) FLY-IN, A PARADE-OF-FLT DEMONSTRATION (DEMO) WAS STARTED, INVOLVING ANTIQUE & CLASSIC ACFT. AIR TRAFFIC CTL (ATC) RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPN WAS ASSUMED BY EAA, IAW A CERT OF WAIVER TO 14 CFR 91. THE DEMO BGN BY LINING UP ACFT NR RWY 36 TO TKOF IN SEQUENCE. WHEN SIGNALED, EACH PLT WOULD TAKE OFF, FLY A PATTERN, THEN LND ON A GRASS STRIP BESIDE RWY 36 & BE DRCTD TO THE PARKING AREA. AFTER A PATTERN & LNDG, THE PLT OF PIPER E-2, N2414, APCHD RWY 36 (1800' FM THE RWY THRESHOLD) AS HE WAS TAXIING TO PARK. AT THE APRX SAME TIME, A RYAN PT-22, N54403,WAS BEING PREPARED FOR TAKEOFF. AN OFFICIAL (FLAGMAN) MOTIONED FOR THE E-2 TO CROSS THE RWY, BUT IT WASN'T EQUIPPED WITHBRAKES, SO THE PLT TAXIED SLOWLY. THE FLAGMAN MOTIONED FOR THE E-2 PLT TO EXPEDITE, BUT THE PLT CONTD TO TAXI SLOWLY TO AVOID ACFT AHEAD. MEANWHILE, THE PT-22 PLT BGN TAKING OFF & DID NOT SEE THE E-2 AHEAD. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE PT-22HIT THE E-2, DAMAGING BOTH ACFT. THE E-2 PLT SAW THE PT-22, MOMENTS BFR IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION'S (EAA'S) INADEQUATE PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING CONTROL AND SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT, ITS INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPERATION, AND INADEQUATE COORDINATION BY GROUND PERSONNEL. RELATED FACTORS WERE: THE GROUND PERSONNEL'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION, AND THE PRESENCE OF OTHER AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

DRG AN ANNUAL EXPERIMENTAL ACFT ASSOC (EAA) FLY-IN, A PARADE-OF-FLT DEMONSTRATION (DEMO) WAS STARTED, INVOLVING ANTIQUE & CLASSIC ACFT. AIR TRAFFIC CTL (ATC) RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPN WAS ASSUMED BY EAA, IAW A CERT OF WAIVER TO 14 CFR 91. THE DEMO BGN BY LINING UP ACFT NR RWY 36 TO TKOF IN SEQUENCE. WHEN SIGNALED, EACH PLT WOULD TAKE OFF, FLY A PATTERN, THEN LND ON A GRASS STRIP BESIDE RWY 36 & BE DRCTD TO THE PARKING AREA. AFTER A PATTERN & LNDG, THE PLT OF PIPER E-2, N2414, APCHD RWY 36 (1800' FM THE RWY THRESHOLD) AS HE WAS TAXIING TO PARK. AT THE APRX SAME TIME, A RYAN PT-22, N54403,WAS BEING PREPARED FOR TAKEOFF. AN OFFICIAL (FLAGMAN) MOTIONED FOR THE E-2 TO CROSS THE RWY, BUT IT WASN'T EQUIPPED WITHBRAKES, SO THE PLT TAXIED SLOWLY. THE FLAGMAN MOTIONED FOR THE E-2 PLT TO EXPEDITE, BUT THE PLT CONTD TO TAXI SLOWLY TO AVOID ACFT AHEAD. MEANWHILE, THE PT-22 PLT BGN TAKING OFF & DID NOT SEE THE E-2 AHEAD. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE PT-22HIT THE E-2, DAMAGING BOTH ACFT. THE E-2 PLT SAW THE PT-22, MOMENTS BFR IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:25 CDT
Nearest AirportWittman Field (0nm N)
Runway36L
Runway Length8001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan PT-22
Tail NumberN54403
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKinner · R-55 · Reciprocating · 160 | Teledyne Cont · A-40-4 · Reciprocating · 40
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data