Cessna 172N and Piper PA-28-140 accident near Boone, Iowa, September 11, 1994
On September 11, 1994 at about 3:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172N (N2105E) and Piper PA-28-140 (N2899T), were involved in the same accident near Boone, Iowa (Boone Municipal airport). No one was hurt; 6 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of both pilots to adequately monitor radio communications during an exceptionally busy period. Factors related to the accident were the high vegetation and the failure of airport personnel to recognize and correct a hazardous situation.
the failure of both pilots to adequately monitor radio communications during an exceptionally busy period. Factors related to the accident were the high vegetation and the failure of airport personnel to recognize and correct a hazardous situation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 1994 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Boone, Iowa · Boone Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 6 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N2105E · no longer on the register · serial 17271155
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N2899T · registry record · serial 28-7225276
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172N final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE TWO AIRPLANES COLLIDED WHILE ON TAKEOFF ROLL ON CROSSING RUNWAYS DURING A SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST FLY-IN. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPORT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE MORNING DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT. WITNESSES IN AIRPLANES IN THE VICINITY REPORTED HEARING THE UNICOM DEPARTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM BOTH PILOTS. NEITHER ACCIDENT PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED HEARING THE DEPARTURE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OTHER. IN THEIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RECORD, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS WROTE 'THE VIEW OF BOTH PILOTS WAS OBSTRUCTED BY CORN GROWING BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS.'
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-28-140 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE TWO AIRPLANES COLLIDED WHILE ON TAKEOFF ROLL ON CROSSING RUNWAYS DURING A SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST FLY-IN. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPORT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE MORNING DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT. WITNESSES IN AIRPLANES IN THE VICINITY REPORTED HEARING THE UNICOM DEPARTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM BOTH PILOTS. NEITHER ACCIDENT PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED HEARING THE DEPARTURE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OTHER. IN THEIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RECORD, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS WROTE 'THE VIEW OF BOTH PILOTS WAS OBSTRUCTED BY CORN GROWING BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS.'
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 172N from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,904 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 1,904 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,703 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 10, 1994; 35 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320H (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BNW
- Destination: MCW Mason City IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 4,800 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from BNW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-28-140 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 155 hours in all; 98 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 90 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,485 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 1994; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BNW at 3:15 pm
- Destination: CIN Carroll IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 3,300 ft by 290 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.