On September 26, 1991, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N26004) operated by Lagrange Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Lagrange, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The J-5 pilot was not S-turning and failed to see the Piper in sufficient time to avoid the collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A J-5 and a PA-38-112 collided on a taxiway while preparing for visual departures. The PA-38 instructor and student attempted to avoid the collision but could not exit the taxiway in time.
Overview
A J-5 and a PA-38-112 collided on a taxiway while both aircraft were preparing for visual departures from the same runway. The collision occurred during ground operations.
Sequence of Events
The PA-38-112, with a flight instructor and a student pilot on board, was conducting a before-takeoff runup when they noticed that a collision was possible. The PA-38 pilots attempted to avoid the collision but were unable to exit the taxiway before the collision occurred.
Pilot Statements
According to the pilot of the J-5, he was not performing S-turns, which is a normal procedure for taxiing conventional gear airplanes. He stated that he failed to see the Piper in sufficient time to avoid the collision.
Aircraft Involved
The collision involved a J-5 and a PA-38-112. Both aircraft were on the taxiway at the time of the incident.
Probable cause
The J-5 pilot was not S-turning and failed to see the Piper in sufficient time to avoid the collision.