Casualties unknown

1996-05-12: Stinson 108-3 (N235DE) — Compton, CA

Compton, CA, US

On May 12, 1996, a Stinson 108-3 (registration N235DE) was involved in an aviation accident near Compton, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor in the accident was the narrow, confined nature of the taxiway, which restricted the pilot's ability to perform clearing turns while taxiing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

Two aircraft collided while taxiing eastbound on a taxiway. The Stinson pilot, unable to see the smaller Midget Mustang ahead, overtook it from behind, causing propeller damage to the other aircraft.

Incident Overview

Two aircraft were involved in a ground collision while taxiing eastbound on the south taxiway toward the run-up area. The Stinson pilot reported that he could not see the Midget Mustang ahead of him due to the Mustang's small size and the Stinson's conventional landing gear configuration, which features a large nose area that obstructed forward visibility.

Sequence of Events

According to the Stinson pilot, he overtook the Midget Mustang from the rear. During this maneuver, his aircraft's propeller chewed into the tail, fuselage, and wings of the Midget Mustang. The Stinson pilot also stated that his ability to perform clearing turns was limited due to the narrowness of the taxiway and the proximity of parked aircraft on the north side.

Aircraft Information

The two aircraft involved were a Stinson and a Midget Mustang. The Stinson pilot noted the challenge of spotting the smaller aircraft during taxi due to visibility constraints inherent to the Stinson's design. No further details about the aircraft models, registrations, or operators were provided in the source.

Pilot Statements

Both pilots reported that each was taxiing his aircraft eastbound on the south taxiway. The Stinson pilot's account indicates that the collision occurred when he inadvertently closed the distance to the Midget Mustang without visual contact. The limited taxiway width and presence of parked aircraft restricted his ability to check for traffic ahead.

Post-Collision Actions

The source does not describe any actions taken after the collision, such as ground crew response, emergency services, or aircraft recovery. The extent of damage to either aircraft is not specified beyond the propeller damage to the Midget Mustang.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05808. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.