Fairchild KR-31 N7780
1 June 1996 · Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 1 June 1996 at about 19:12 local time, a Fairchild KR-31 registered N7780 was involved in an accident near Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:12
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bartlesville Municipal (BVO)
- Coordinates
- 36.7309, -96.0705
- Aircraft
- Fairchild KR-31
- Registration
- N7780
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW96FA234
People
4 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The failure of each pilot-in-command to maintain visual lookout. Factors were: the lack of each pilot-in-command obtaining/maintaining communication with the control tower, and inadequate lookout by each pilot-rated passenger, the inadequate procedures/directives by the biplane association management and the airport management, and inadequate supervision by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Both the Fairchild KR-31, N7780, and the Waco QCF, N12428, were occupied by a PIC and a pilot-rated passenger. Witnesses observed both biplanes collide at the downwind/base position and descend uncontrolled to the ground. Left wing portions from each biplane were found at the initial impact site. The lower left wing outboard section of the Waco was found between the left wings of the Fairchild. The Fairchild did not have an electrical system. The Waco was equipped with navigation lights and an electrical system; however, the type and status of avionics equipment could not be determined due to the postimpact fire damage. A light gun was available in the temporary control tower; however, it was not being used at the time of the collision, and neither biplane was in communication with the tower in Class D airspace. An ATC letter to the airport indicated that ATC would separate arriving and departing traffic, with ground movement by airport management, operators and pilots, with safety items/factors brought to the attention of ATC prior to the operation of the tower. The biplane association and the airport representatives stated that the tower was a 'control tower' and applicable control airspace procedures were expected by ATC and the pilots. Neither the NBA nor the airport had established rigid communication, routing and altitude procedures for the fly-by period, and pilot briefings were not conducted. In tension with the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, the Federal Aviation Administration did not offer and/or provide the NBA and airport authorities with clearly delineated insight and guidance that fostered the safest use of the airspace during the fly-in.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairchild KR-31 KR-31 | N7780 | - | Destroyed |
| Waco QCF QCF | N12428 | - | Destroyed |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 1996 | Cessna A188B | Enid, Oklahoma, United States | Carson Flying Service, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 16 May 1996 | McDonnell Douglas MD-520N | Bethany, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1996 | Cessna 172N | Norman, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Feb 1996 | Bell 206B | Cushing, Oklahoma, United States | Corporate Helicopters, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 2 Mar 1996 | Bell B206-BIII | Chandler, Oklahoma, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1996 | Air Tractor AT-502B | Pond Creek, Oklahoma, United States | Homestead Farms Flying Service | No injuries | - |