Not VW, aviation interest. Oshkosh 06

NTSB: Warbird pilot did not make S-turns in fatal AirVenture collision

By Jeff Bollier
of The Northwestern

Witnesses and video footage of a fatal taxiway collision between a Warbird and a homebuilt aircraft on the last day of the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture convention showed the Warbird pilot was not taxiing in a manner that would have allowed him to see the smaller aircraft in front of him.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the July 30 collision of a Grumman TBM "Avenger" and a Vans RV-6 that killed 63-year-old Gary Palmer, of Nepean, Ontario.

Paul M. Redlich, 45, of Batavia, Ohio, told NTSB investigators he performed "S-turns" that would allow him to see any aircraft taxiing in front of him, but several witnesses and video footage taken by EAA crews showed he performed no such turns. Because the Avenger tips upward when it is on the ground, the pilot must make turns in order to see what is in front of the airplane

"The video indicated that the Avenger was taxiing straight ahead for about 9 - 10 seconds prior to the time of impact and was not making a S-turn," the report said. "The video indicated that the Avenger pilot was looking forward over the nose of the Avenger as it was taxiing forward prior to impact with the RV-6."

Redlich was fifth in line on the southbound taxiway along Runway 18-36, the main north-south runway, behind the RV-6 piloted by Donald W. Reed, 58, of Carp, Ontario, as both aircraft awaited permission to depart AirVenture.

Redlich told investigators he performed "shallow S-turns within the confines of the taxiway width" at the time of the incident. The report also indicated the taxiway was 35 feet wide while the Avenger's main landing gear was about 12 feet wide from the outsides of the tires.

Palmer was killed when the Avenger's propeller sliced into the smaller RV-6. Reed escaped unharmed.

The NTSB's report is preliminary. A more detailed account of the collision will be released once the investigation is complete. Investigators said that could take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to complete.

Jeff Bollier: (920) 426-6688 or jbollier@thenorthwestern.com.



----- Original Message -----

That's not good, poor man, had not a chance. I had to perform an engine teardown in front of a NTSB investigator, Engine company investigator and propulsion investigator from CASA about two years ago, those guys go over everything. That's about all i can say as i had to sign a form to say i wouldn't talk about it to the media and other parties.

damn.. thats nasty 🙁

dont think making s-turns woud've solved anything... should've been more ground control... but anyway... all opinions i guess...

such a terrible thing 🙁

yeah, you couldn't see much at all over the nose of the old tail-draggers