North American SNJ-5 accident near Reno, NV
On September 18, 1994, a North American SNJ-5 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Reno, NV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 18, 1994
- Place
- Reno, NV
- Aircraft
- North American SNJ-5 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.481°N, 119.740°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02293
NTSB summary
On September 18, 1994, at 1010 hours Pacific daylight time, a North American SNJ-5, N8540Z, and a North American SNJ-4, N7404C, collided about 2 miles west of the Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. Both airplanes were beginning a local visual flight rules air race. N8540Z entered an uncontrolled descent and collided with a nearby home. N8540Z, registered to and operated by WW II Warbirds, Inc., Orchard Park, New York, was destroyed by the impact forces; N7404C, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard N7404C, landed the airplane at Reno-Stead Airport without further incident and he did not sustain any injuries. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant aboard N8540Z, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flights originated at Reno-Stead Airport at 1000 hours. The consensus of ground witnesses was that N8540Z overtook N7404C and struck N7404C with its left wing from below. A participating race pilot reported that the airplanes were to be lined up abreast of each other at the beginning of the race. He said that N8540Z moved out of position before the airplanes reached the visible staging area. When the airplanes reached the staging area, N8540Z appeared to move back into position, but the pilot overcorrected the alignment and struck N7404C. N7404C The pilot of N7404C submitted a National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 to the Safety Board's Southwest Regional Office on September
Probable cause
that the pilot misjudged the distance between his and the other airplane. The pilot's diverted attention to the start of the air race is a factor in this accident.
More accidents in NV
- Cessna 425, Jan 12, 1992
- Cessna TU206G, Dec 7, 1986
- Beech A36TC, Dec 25, 2003
- Cessna T21OL, Mar 1, 1982
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Feb 25, 2023
Browse: Nevada · North American 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.
