S3 Viking History

BuNo: 160146
Location: NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, FL
Date: Tue 08-Nov-1983
Cause: Air Traffic Control/Tower
Findings: At NAS Cecil Field, Florida at time of 0206:46 an A-7 Corsair initiated call to ground controller in tower requested to taxi.

At time of 0212:07 the A-7 was cleared for takeoff on runway 36L.

An S-3 had just landed on runway 36R and requested left turn 'at the six' or 6,000 remaining marker which is taxiway 'Bravo'. Local controller approved request for turnoff at taxiway 'Bravo' and S-3 requested to cross inboard of runway 36L. Tower told S-3 to 'hold short' at which S-3 transmitted 'negative, too late'.

The S-3 and A-7 collided left of the center line of runway 36L and taxiway 'Bravo'. The impact destroyed both aircraft and killed all three crewmen.

An ejection sequence with the S-3 was initiated and rear seats not manned ejected normally. Ejection appears to have occurred almost simultaneously with impact.

It is impossible to determine whether the copilot initiated ejection or if it was due to crash damage. An ejection sequence was initiated with the A-7.

Local controller cleared the S-3 to cross the runway on which he previously cleared the A-7 for takeoff, the S-3 crew not exercising proper lookout doctrine prior to crossing the runway.

Primary cause was mistake in judgment of the tower local controller and secondary cause excessive taxi speed of the S-3.

Source: JAG Investigation Report.

Comments from JAG Investigation Report:

It is therefore concluded that the local controller clearance for the S-3 to cross runway 36L was transmitted before the S-3 had reached the 'Hold Short' line, probably in the vicinity of the midpoint of the taxiway. This yields a greater taxi speed for the S-3, probably about 25 kts and also accounts for the length of the skid marks.

At what point the A-7E was when it was apparent that the aircraft was crossing his path cannot be determined; However, the speed attained by an A-7 aircraft after approximately 2000 feet of travel at takeoff power would severely limit maneuvering alternatives available to avoid a collision.

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