North American AT-6A and Cessna 172K accident near Melbourne, Florida, January 4, 2003
On January 4, 2003 at about 7:25 pm local time, 2 aircraft, North American AT-6A (N57318) and Cessna 172K (N522F), were involved in the same accident near Melbourne, Florida (Melborne International airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.
The failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 4, 2003 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Melbourne, Florida · Melborne International · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- North American AT-6A · all AT-6As on the register
- Registration
- N57318 · no longer on the register · serial 78-6680
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N522F · registry record · serial 17258510
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the North American AT-6A final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of N57318, a North American AT6A, said that he had landed on runway 27L, and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He said that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the N522F, a Cessna 172K, to taxi to the ramp, and that his airplane has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R, he turned on taxiway Q, crossed the hold short line, and came to a complete stop in order to complete the after landing checklist, and the North American impacted the tail of his airplane. The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q, and the pilot of the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. He said the Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. When the Cessna had turned off the runway, he said he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred. One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.
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 172K final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of N57318, a North American AT6A, said that he had landed on runway 27L, and had been told to hold short of runway 27R. He said that the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower controller told the pilot of the N522F, a Cessna 172K, to taxi to the ramp, and that his airplane has restricted visibility and that suddenly and unexpectedly the Cessna appeared on the taxiway ahead of him and he collided with it. The pilot of the North American stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his airplane or any of its systems. The pilot of the Cessna stated that after landing on runway 27R, he turned on taxiway Q, crossed the hold short line, and came to a complete stop in order to complete the after landing checklist, and the North American impacted the tail of his airplane. The FAA Air Traffic Controller stated that the North American landed on runway 27L and turned off at runway Q, and the pilot of the North American was instructed to hold short of runway 27R. He said the Cessna landed on runway 27R and after landing was instructed to turn right at "Q" and taxi to parking. When the Cessna had turned off the runway, he said he then instructed the North American to taxi to cross runway 27R and taxi to parking, and within a few moments the collision occurred. One of the witnesses stated that she saw the North American run into the back of the Cessna, and further stated that she did not see the North American engaged in any "S-turn" maneuvers as it was being taxied.
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 North American AT-6A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,729 hours in all; 1,342 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,662 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 4, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,662 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2002; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MLB Melbourne FL at 6:25 pm
- Destination: MLB
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:30 pm from MLB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172K from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 123 hours in all; 123 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 86 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 3, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,275 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 9, 2002; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DAB Daytona Beach FL at 6:45 pm
- Destination: MLB Melbourne FL
- Flight plan: not recorded
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.