Event SEA94LA130

Factual narrative

On May 31, 1994, approximately 0855 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Latter Christen Eagle II, N246RL, collided with a Cessna 172, N62463, in the run-up area for runway 18 at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming. The private pilot in the Eagle was not injured, but the certified flight instructor and his student in the 172 received minor injuries. The Eagle sustained substantial damage, and the 172 sustained minor damage. At the time of the accident, both aircraft were preparing to depart in visual meteorological conditions. Neither pilot had filed a flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot of the Eagle, he had looked into the cockpit while taxiing in order to check his mixture setting. When he looked back up, he realized he was heading for a Cessna 172 that was parked in the run-up area preparing for departure. He was unable to stop his aircraft in time to keep both of the right wings of his aircraft from impacting the 172. WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT OF THE CHRISTEN EAGLE II, N246RL, BECAME DISTRACTED WHEN HE LOOKED INTO THE COCKPIT TO CHECK THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, IT WAS TOO LATE TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE CESSNA 172, N62463, THAT WAS PARKED IN THE RUN-UP AREA PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE. THE EAGLE II PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN HIS AIRCRAFT TO AVOID THE COLLISION, BUT BOTH RIGHT WINGS IMPACTED THE CE-172. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12