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NTSB Report
May 3, 2015 · Piper J3C-65 · N98656
De Kalb, IL
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
De Kalb, IL
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65 (1946)
Tail Number
N98656
Operator
Joseph a Begany
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15CA223
The pilot, who was in the rear tandem seat of the tailwheel airplane, had just landed and was taxing to the fuel pumps to refuel. He did not see the parked Beech A36 over the nose of his airplane and collided with the right wing of N4678A. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had followed the taxi line on the tarmac. He also blamed his "less than effective brakes" that didn't help as he tried to control the airplane in the wind. This caused his attention to be diverted and he lost sight of the surrounding obstructions. The pilot had logged a total of 82 flight hours, of which 13 hours were in the accident airplane.
NTSB Probable Cause
The pilot's loss of positional awareness while taxiing, resulting in a collision with a parked and unoccupied airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's difficulty seeing over the nose of the airplane, his preoccupation with trying to control the airplane in the wind, and his minimal experience in the airplane.
Full Narrative
The pilot, who was in the rear tandem seat of the tailwheel airplane, had just landed and was taxing to the fuel pumps to refuel. He did not see the parked Beech A36 over the nose of his airplane and collided with the right wing of N4678A. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had followed the taxi line on the tarmac. He also blamed his "less than effective brakes" that didn't help as he tried to control the airplane in the wind. This caused his attention to be diverted and he lost sight of the surrounding obstructions. The pilot had logged a total of 82 flight hours, of which 13 hours were in the accident airplane.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest AirportDe Kalb Taylor Municipal (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN98656
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph a Begany
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-65-8F · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Sprt · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time16:15
Weather SourceWFAC