Beechcraft D17S N16M

Summary

On 14 September 1990 at about 23:45 local time, a Beechcraft D17S registered N16M, operated by Jacobson, Chris A., was involved in an accident near Englewood, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 September 1990 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Englewood, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Centennial (APA)

Coordinates

39.5796, -104.8601

Aircraft

Beechcraft D17S

Registration

N16M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jacobson, Chris A.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Broomfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN90LA186

Injuries not recorded.

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE VEHICLE DRIVER, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SUNGLARE AND THE PILOT'S RESTRICTED VIEW FROM THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS LACK OF VISUAL CUES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE BEECH D17 STAGGERWING HAD BEEN ON STATIC DISPLAY DRG A PRE-AIRSHOW ACTIVITY. WHEN THE PLT PREPARED TO DEP, TWR CLRD HIM TO TAXI TO RWY 35R & WARNED, 'CAUTION VEHICLES & PERSONNEL ON THE RAMP.' A WING WALKER ESCORTED THE ACFT OUT OF THE PARKING AREA, THEN WALKED AWAY. THE PLT TURNED LEFT & BGN TAXIING TWD THE SUN AT 'WALKING SPEED' IN AN S-TURN FASHION. THE TWR CTLR TOLD A KING AIR PLT TO HOLD FOR THE D17, THEN HIS ATTN WAS DIVERTED TO OTR ARPT OPNS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE D17'S RGT WING HIT A FIRE TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN STOPPED ON THE TWY; THIS RESULTED IN THE ACFT SWERVING TO THE RGT & THE PROP HITTING THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK DRIVER HAD STOPPED ON THE TWY TO ALLOW A FIREMAN TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PARKED U.S. NAVY'S BLUE ANGELS. WHEN HE LOOKED IN HIS REARVIEW MIRROR, HE SAW THE D17, BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE TWR SUPVR SAID THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN A 'NON-MOVEMENT AREA' & WAS NOT SUBJECT TO GND CTL AS PER LTR OF AGREEMENT BTN THE CTL TWR & THE ARPT AUTHORITY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.