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NTSB Report

August 27, 1989 · Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A · N63884

Kansas City, MO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kansas City, MO
Aircraft
Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A
Tail Number
N63884
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA189

THE PLT WAS GIVING 'RIDES' TO THE OWNER'S FAMILY. HE STOPPED IN A NORTHERLY DRCTN AT/NEAR THE RGT SIDE OF THE TWY TO CHANGE PASSENGERS (PAX). AFTER THE PAX CHANGE, HE CONTACTED GND CTL & OBTAINED CLNC TO TAXI FOR ANOTHER TAKEOFF. HE HAD LIMITED FWD VISIBILITY IN THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT. TO TAXI, HE ELECTED TO ANGLE THE ACFT TO THE LEFT ONTO THE TWY, THEN TURN RGT TO S-TURN & CLR HIMSELF DWN THE TWY. AS HE BGN TAXIING, 2 CAMOUFLAGED TUGS WITH AMMO TRAILERS WERE COMING DOWN THE TWY FM THE OPPOSITE DRCTN. AS THE ACFT ANGLED ONTO THE TWY, THE RELATIVE PSN OF THE VEHICLES REMAINED OFF THE NOSE OF THE ACFT & THE PLT DID NOT SEE THEM. THE 1ST VEHICLE DRIVER STOPPED & TRIED TO CONTACT GND CTL. HE THEN TRIED TOTAKE EVASIVE ACTN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING HIT THE 1ST VEHICLE & THE PROP HIT THE AMMO TRAILER. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ON A JOINT-USE MILITARY/CIVILIAN ARPT. THE PLT & VEHICLE DRIVERS WERE UNDER JURISDICTION OF GND CTL & IN VIEW OF THE CTL TWR. THE OPERG PROCEDURES HAD MILITARY & CIVILIAN TRAFFIC ON DIFFERENT FREQS.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE CONTROL TOWER SERVICE PROVIDED BY TOWER PERSONNEL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE VEHICLE DRIVER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS GIVING 'RIDES' TO THE OWNER'S FAMILY. HE STOPPED IN A NORTHERLY DRCTN AT/NEAR THE RGT SIDE OF THE TWY TO CHANGE PASSENGERS (PAX). AFTER THE PAX CHANGE, HE CONTACTED GND CTL & OBTAINED CLNC TO TAXI FOR ANOTHER TAKEOFF. HE HAD LIMITED FWD VISIBILITY IN THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT. TO TAXI, HE ELECTED TO ANGLE THE ACFT TO THE LEFT ONTO THE TWY, THEN TURN RGT TO S-TURN & CLR HIMSELF DWN THE TWY. AS HE BGN TAXIING, 2 CAMOUFLAGED TUGS WITH AMMO TRAILERS WERE COMING DOWN THE TWY FM THE OPPOSITE DRCTN. AS THE ACFT ANGLED ONTO THE TWY, THE RELATIVE PSN OF THE VEHICLES REMAINED OFF THE NOSE OF THE ACFT & THE PLT DID NOT SEE THEM. THE 1ST VEHICLE DRIVER STOPPED & TRIED TO CONTACT GND CTL. HE THEN TRIED TOTAKE EVASIVE ACTN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING HIT THE 1ST VEHICLE & THE PROP HIT THE AMMO TRAILER. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ON A JOINT-USE MILITARY/CIVILIAN ARPT. THE PLT & VEHICLE DRIVERS WERE UNDER JURISDICTION OF GND CTL & IN VIEW OF THE CTL TWR. THE OPERG PROCEDURES HAD MILITARY & CIVILIAN TRAFFIC ON DIFFERENT FREQS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:28 CDT
Nearest AirportRichards Gebaur (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length9000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftConsolidated-Vultee BT-13A
Tail NumberN63884
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN3 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data