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August 6, 2022 · Waco UPF-7 NO Series · N32141

Erwinna, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Erwinna, PA
Aircraft
Waco UPF-7 NO Series (1941)
Tail Number
N32141
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA364

The private pilot of a predominately black and orange colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (black airplane) reported that he was taxiing in the grass next to the turf runway 25 for departure. The taxi route required him to cross another converging turf runway 23. During the taxi, he did not make any radio calls on the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) announcing that he was taxiing or crossing runway 23. The commercial pilot of a predominately red and white colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (red airplane) that was based at the airport stated that he was departing runway 23, which was primarily used for glider operations but also was routinely used by powered airplanes when available based on runway conditions. He scanned ahead on runway 23 and after observing there was no conflicting traffic and not hearing any announcements from other aircraft, he broadcast his intent to depart from runway 23 on the CTAF. That transmission was heard by the pilot of the black airplane but at the time it did not register to him that the red airplane was departing from a converging runway, adding that he looked along runway 25 and expected to see the red airplane departing but he did not. The pilot of the red airplane reported that just after lifting off, the right wing of his airplane and the right wing of the black airplane collided; he never saw the other airplane. Following the collision, the red airplane impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The pilot of the black airplane, who was taxiing slowly, reported he heard a loud engine followed immediately by the sight of something hitting his right wings. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage to their wings during the collision. The pilots of both airplanes reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airport manager, the runway utilized by the pilot of the red airplane was specified in the airport facility directory to be for gliders only, though that was not strictly enforced.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inability of both pilots to see and avoid the collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot of the red airplane’s decision to utilize the converging runway for takeoff, contrary to the guidance published in the airport facility directory. Also contributing was the failure of the pilot of the black airplane to adequately utilize his radio to announce his taxi on the common traffic advisory frequency and his failure to recognize that an airplane was departing from a converging runway.

Full Narrative

The private pilot of a predominately black and orange colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (black airplane) reported that he was taxiing in the grass next to the turf runway 25 for departure. The taxi route required him to cross another converging turf runway 23. During the taxi, he did not make any radio calls on the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) announcing that he was taxiing or crossing runway 23. The commercial pilot of a predominately red and white colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (red airplane) that was based at the airport stated that he was departing runway 23, which was primarily used for glider operations but also was routinely used by powered airplanes when available based on runway conditions. He scanned ahead on runway 23 and after observing there was no conflicting traffic and not hearing any announcements from other aircraft, he broadcast his intent to depart from runway 23 on the CTAF. That transmission was heard by the pilot of the black airplane but at the time it did not register to him that the red airplane was departing from a converging runway, adding that he looked along runway 25 and expected to see the red airplane departing but he did not. The pilot of the red airplane reported that just after lifting off, the right wing of his airplane and the right wing of the black airplane collided; he never saw the other airplane. Following the collision, the red airplane impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The pilot of the black airplane, who was taxiing slowly, reported he heard a loud engine followed immediately by the sight of something hitting his right wings. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage to their wings during the collision. The pilots of both airplanes reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airport manager, the runway utilized by the pilot of the red airplane was specified in the airport facility directory to be for gliders only, though that was not strictly enforced.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 EDT
Nearest AirportVANSANT (1nm N)
Runway23G
Runway Length1340 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWaco UPF-7 NO Series
Tail NumberN32141
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200 | Cont Motor · W-670-6N · Reciprocating · 220
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 71 · Basc · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data