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September 13, 2012 · Varga Aircraft 2150A · N4651V

Clinton, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Clinton, IA
Aircraft
Varga Aircraft 2150A
Tail Number
N4651V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA629

The pilot of a Great Lakes biplane was landing when the airplane struck the rear of a Varga airplane that had previously landed and was still on the runway. According to the pilot of the Great Lakes, he did not see the other airplane until the impact occurred. The Varga had completed a straight-in approach following a practice instrument approach. The Great Lakes landed using a left hand traffic pattern approach to landing. FAA regulations state that when two airplanes are approaching to land at the same airport, the airplane at the lower altitude has the right of way. The airport was a non-towered airport, and both pilots reported that they had announced their positions in the airport traffic pattern. Regulations did not prohibit the use of a straight-in approach.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Pilot of other aircraft - C

Full Narrative

On September 12, 2012, about 1915 central daylight time, a Varga model 2150A, N4651V, was struck from behind by a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 airplane, N3793F, while landing on runway 21 at the Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI), Clinton, Iowa. There were no injuries. The tail of N4651V was severed by the propeller of N3793F. N4651V was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. N3793F was registered to an individual and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Neither airplane was operating on a flight plan. N4651V departed CWI for a local flight about 1810. N3793F departed the Davenport Municipal Airport, Davenport, Iowa, about 1830. The pilot of N4651V reported that he was returning from a local flight and had performed a practice VOR runway 21 instrument approach on his return to the airport. He stated that he made several radio transmissions on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to report his position and intention to land. He stated that he did not hear any transmissions from aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern during his approach to the runway. He reported that after landing he heard a faint transmission on the CTAF frequency "...Clinton, short final...". The pilot reported that he was preparing to exit on a taxiway, and while still on the runway after landing he felt a sudden impact and he applied the brakes as firmly as possible. His airplane continued to move in a direction that resulted in an impact with a runway light and taxiway sign. Upon exiting the airplane he discovered that the tail of his airplane had been almost completely severed. The pilot of N3793F reported that as he approached CWI he made several radio transmissions on the CTAF frequency announcing his position and intention to land. He stated that he heard no radio transmissions from other aircraft in the CWI traffic pattern and entered a left hand traffic pattern for runway 21. He announced his position when he was downwind, base, and final for runway 21. He reported that as the airplane was rolling out after touchdown, he suddenly saw the vertical tail of another airplane coming up his right side. He stated that he did not know that there was another airplane on the runway. N3793F struck the tail and aft fuselage of N4651V. 14 CFR 91.113g states that aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft. CWI was a non-towered airport and regulations did not prohibit use of a straight-in approach for landing at non-towered airports.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CDT
Nearest AirportClinton Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length5204 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVarga Aircraft 2150A
Tail NumberN4651V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180 | Lycoming · AEIO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data