Incident Overview
A red Waco biplane was back-taxiing on runway 3, a 3,700-foot-long, 50-foot-wide turf runway, at an airport where a pre-arranged Deaf Pilots Association fly-in was taking place. The pilot of the Waco reported announcing his intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) before the back-taxi, stating he did not hear a response and observed no traffic in the area.
Sequence of Events
About one-third down the runway, the Waco pilot observed an airplane on final approach for runway 3. He attempted to contact the approaching airplane on the CTAF but received no response. The Waco pilot then taxied off the runway and waited until the landing airplane rolled past. He again announced his intentions on the CTAF, heard no response, and resumed the back-taxi.
Approximately two-thirds down the runway, the Waco pilot observed another airplane approaching runway 6. He cleared runway 3 in case that pilot decided to land on runway 3. The second airplane subsequently landed on runway 6. The Waco pilot attempted to contact both landing pilots but heard no response. He announced his intentions once more on the CTAF, heard no response, and resumed the back-taxi.
As the Waco approached the runway threshold, the accident airplane was on short final approach for runway 3 and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the nose pitched up, the airplane stalled to the left, and impacted the runway.
Witness Accounts
A passenger in the accident airplane reported that the accident airplane and the Waco were nose to nose near the runway threshold. Another passenger reported that the accident pilot panicked at the sight of the Waco.
Pilot Information
The pilot of the accident airplane was hearing impaired and could not hear the stall warning horn.
Runway and Traffic Details
Runway 3 is a turf runway measuring 3,700 feet in length and 50 feet in width. Multiple airplanes were arriving as part of the Deaf Pilots Association fly-in.