Waco UPF7 and Cessna 195 accident near Jean, Nevada, October 17, 1999
On October 17, 1999 at about 3:10 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Waco UPF7 (N32186) and Cessna 195 (N4301V), were involved in the same accident near Jean, Nevada (Jean airport). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing for departure. Factors in the accident were: the narrow nature of the taxiway and the pilot's subsequent inability to S-turn for better forward visibility, and, the pilot allowing himself to become distracted with minor cockpit duties while moving on the ground.
The pilot of the other airplane's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing for departure. Factors in the accident were: the narrow nature of the taxiway and the pilot of the other airplane's subsequent inability to S-turn for better forward visibility, and, the pilot of the other airplane allowing himself to become distracted with minor cockpit duties while moving on the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 1999 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Jean, Nevada · Jean · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Waco UPF7 · all UPF7s on the register
- Registration
- N32186 · registry record · serial 5812
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 195 · all 195s on the register
- Registration
- N4301V · no longer on the register · serial 7205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Waco UPF7 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Waco UPF7 taxied into a stationary Cessna 195 on a taxiway leading to the active runway. The airport manager reported that the Cessna 195 was in line behind other aircraft on a taxiway awaiting departure on runway 2L. The Waco UPF7 was proceeding along the taxiway to runway 2L for takeoff. The airport manager said the taxiway is too narrow for the conventional geared Waco to effectively S-turn. The pilot of the Waco said that as he was taxiing he spotted some rocks on runway 2L and was engaged in a radio conversation with the ground controller reporting debris on the runway. He noted that this distracted his attention and he did not see the stopped Cessna 195 ahead on the taxiway and taxied into the left wing of that aircraft.
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 Cessna 195 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the other aircraft, a Waco UPF7, taxied into the stationary Cessna 195 on a taxiway leading to the active runway. The airport manager reported that the Cessna 195 was in line behind other aircraft on a taxiway awaiting departure on runway 2L. The Waco UPF7 was proceeding along the taxiway to runway 2L for takeoff. The airport manager said the taxiway is too narrow for the conventional geared Waco to effectively S-turn. The pilot of the Waco said that as he was taxiing he spotted some rocks on runway 2L and was engaged in a radio conversation with the ground controller reporting debris on the runway. He noted that this distracted his attention and he did not see the stopped Cessna 195 ahead on the taxiway and taxied into the left wing of that aircraft.
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 Waco UPF7 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 475 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,540 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 7, 1999; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W670-6N (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OL7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 pm from LAS, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 195 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 9,400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,188 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 1999; 52 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R-755-A2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OL7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
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.