Palmer HAWK BM-4 accident near Pearland, TX
On January 2, 1994, a Palmer HAWK BM-4 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pearland, TX. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 2, 1994
- Place
- Pearland, TX
- Aircraft
- Palmer HAWK BM-4 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.549°N, 95.270°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00618
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT:On January 2, 1994, at 1630 central standard time, a Palmer Hawk BM-4, N75DL, and a Cessna 172N, N739TL, were destroyed during a midair collision near Pearland, Texas. Both airplanes were on final approach to runway 14R at Clover Field, which is an uncontrolled airport. Two occupants of the BM-4 and three occupants of the Cessna received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions with 15 miles visibility prevailed for the local flights. Interviews with witnesses and associates revealed that the Cessna had departed Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, at 1558. Its pilot-in-command was a flight instructor conducting a biennial flight review with the private pilot receiving dual instruction. They performed several VFR patterns for touch and goes on runway 14R. Pilots in the area recalled the Cessna pilot making the VFR uncontrolled field radio communications over the unicom frequency of 122.8. The BM-4 departed Clover Field at 1630 and flew westbound for a local personal flight. Pilots in the area reported a radio transmission on 122.8 from the BM-4 pilot that he was approaching Clover Field from the west for a base entry. Witnesses observed the Cessna on short final for runway 14R. Witness reports regarding its altitude varied from 200 feet to 500 feet above the ground. Witnesses observed the BM-4 turn base to final behind the Cessna. The BM-4 was initially observed higher above the ground and moving much faster than the Cessna. Witnesses stated that it appeared the BM-4 was converging on the Cessna in distance and altitude. The airplanes were described as
Probable cause
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
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Browse: Texas
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
