Runway Collision of United Express 5925 and Beechcraft King Air N1127D
Abstract
On November nineteen, nineteen hundred and ninety six a United Express Beechcraft nineteen hundred took off from Chicago. After an intermediate stop at Burlington, Iowa the aircraft took off again for Quincy, Illinois at four forty PM. As the Beechcraft was approaching Quincy, two aircraft were ready for departure. Beechcraft King Air and Piper Cherokee were taxiing to runway zero four. Since Quincy is an uncontrolled airport, all three aircraft used a common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). As the United Express Beechcraft was getting ready to land on runway thirteen, it was under the impression that the King Air was holding short on runway zero four, and continued their approach. The King Air however, had taxied onto the runway and had started it’s take-off roll when the Beech nineteen hundred touched down. A collision took place at the runway zero four and thirteen intersection. It was at least twelve minutes before firefighters arrived. The airport has no control tower and no aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) crew. It relies on the Quincy Municipal Fire Department, which had to drive eleven miles. When they finally got there, it was too late, both aircraft caught fire immediately with fourteen fatalities reported.
Runway Collision of United Express 5925 and Beechcraft King Air N1127D
The “see and avoid” concept is a fundamental principle of aviation safety and is a primary responsibility of every pilot. The FAA’s Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) states that when meteorological conditions permit, regardless of the type of flight plan or whether or not under the control of an air traffic control radar facility, pilots are responsible to see and avoid other traffic, terrain, or obstacles. Equally critical to flight safety is effective communication. Broadcasting intentions and concerns in a clear and
References: Aviation Week and Space Technology. (1997). National Transportation Safety Board. (1997) Aircraft accident report: Runway collision United Express and Beechcraft King Air A90 National Fire Protection Association. (1997, March/April)