Taylorcraft DCO-65 accident near San Antonio, TX
On March 19, 1994, a Taylorcraft DCO-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near San Antonio, TX. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 19, 1994
- Place
- San Antonio, TX
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft DCO-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.539°N, 98.491°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00893
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 19, 1994, at 1351 central standard time, a midair collision occurred between a Taylorcraft DCO-65 (commonly referred to as an L-2), N596BH, and a Interstate S-1B1 (commonly referred to as an L-6), N46951, over San Antonio, Texas. The airplanes, owned and operated by the Alamo Liaison Squadron, were being flown by two commercial pilots. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. All four occupants aboard both airplanes received fatal injuries. There were no injuries to persons on the ground. The two airplanes involved in the collision, plus a third (a Piper J-3; commonly referred to as an L-3), were involved in a photographic mission over downtown San Antonio. According to the J-3 pilot, the flight of three was briefed for a formation flight in the local area for the purpose of photographing the J-3, using the skyline of San Antonio as a back drop. He stated that the briefing included the type formation, separation to be maintained, and emergency procedures. He stated that the Interstate, N46951, was leading the flight with the Taylorcraft, N596BH, flying in the left echelon position, and the L-3 flying in an extended right echelon position. A photograph, taken by a tourist shortly before the collision, showed the airplanes in that formation with about a two wing span separation between each. There were no lead changes during the flight. The three aircraft were in radio communication with each other. There were no provisions in the briefing for signaling the turns. The photographer was aboard the Interstate. Acco
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE TAYLORCRAFT PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE DURING FORMATION FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE OTHER PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION REGARDING INFLIGHT FORMATION PROCEDURES.
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Browse: Texas · Taylorcraft aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
