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T-6 TEXAN/42-85886

Serial #: 42-85886
Construction #:
  88-17667
Civil Registration:
  N9801C
Model(s):
  AT-6D
  SNJ-5
Name: None
Status (2007): Airworthy
Last info: 2008
   History:
Delivered to USN as SNJ-5 as ????, 19??.
Visco Flying Service, Imperial, CA, 1963-1970
- Registered as N9801C.
Robert E. Deford, Phoenix, AZ, 1972
Ernest Bishop, Los Angeles, CA, 1976.
Carl E. Schwenker, Daytona Beach, FL, 1984-1986
- Damaged in ground collision with N58740 during take-off, March 10, 1985 (See Below).
Robert Mazure, Washington, NJ, March 17, 1987-2008.


NTSB Identification: MIA85LA117A. The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 27756.
accident occurred Sunday, March 10, 1985 at TITUSVILLE, FL
Aircraft:NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5, registration: N9801C
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
A GROUP OF T-6 TYPE ACFT WERE TAKING OFF IN SECTIONS OF TWO ACFT EACH. EACH SECTION OF TWO WERE MAKING A FORMATION TAKEOFF WITH A 5 TO 6 SECOND INTERVAL BETWEEN SECTIONS. N58740 WAS IN THE LEFT POSITION OF THE 2ND SECTION; N9801C WAS IN THE LEFT POSITION OF THE 3RD SECTION. DURING TAKEOFF, AN ACFT IN THE 1ST SECTION HAD AN ENG PROBLEM & THE PLT ABORTED HIS TAKEOFF. HE MADE A RADIO CALL TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PLTS & THE PLTS OF THE 2ND SECTION ABORTED THEIR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, THE PLT OF N9801C, WHO WAS LEADING THE 3RD SECTION DID NOT HEAR THE RADIO CALL. HIS ACFT HAD POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY WHILE THE TAIL WHEEL WAS ON THE GROUND; THEREFORE, HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE ACFT AHEAD WERE ABORTING UNTIL HE RAISED THE TAIL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. BY THEN, IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING OF N9801C STRUCK THE RUDDER & ELEVATORS OF N58740 & BOTH ACFT WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT
SAFETY ADVISORY..NOT UNDERSTOOD..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors
OBJECT..AIRCRAFT MOVING ON GROUND

Source(s):
Chapman, John & Goodall, Geoff, Edited by Paul Coggan - Warbirds Directory,Warbirds Worldwide Ltd., Mansfield, England, 1989.
Federal Aviation Administration, www.faa.gov, 2008.
Joe Baugher's Serial Numbers Page
NTSB, www.ntsb.gov
 Photo Source(s):
Steve Tournay, 2001.
Mike R. Henniger.
William T. Larkins
Research Assistance:
-