What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On 01/01/2008, glastar aircraft, N15EX, taxied for departure on runway 7 at the Sonoma Valley Airport. During the glastar's run-up, a van's aircraft announced final on runway 25 (opposite runway 7). As the van's aircraft landed and taxied off runway 25, the glastar started its departure. During departure and approximately 400 to 500FT down the runway, a cherokee aircraft, N8037W, attempting a landing on runway 7, struck the vertical stabilizer of the glastar, causing major damage. The pilot of the glastar continued the flight and landed the aircraft at the napa valley airport. The pilot of the cherokee aircraft landed at the Sonoma Valley Airport. No injuries to either pilot of aircraft.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON 01/01/2008, GLASTAR AIRCRAFT, N15EX, TAXIED FOR DEPARTURE ON RUNWAY 7 AT THE SONOMA VALLEY AIRPORT. DURING THE GLASTAR'S RUN-UP, A VAN'S AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCED FINAL ON RUNWAY 25 (OPPOSITE RUNWAY 7). AS THE VAN'S AIRCRAFT LANDED AND TAXIED OFF RUNWAY 25, THE GLASTAR STARTED ITS DEPARTURE. DURING DEPARTURE AND APPROXIMATELY 400 TO 500FT DOWN THE RUNWAY, A CHEROKEE AIRCRAFT, N8037W, ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON RUNWAY 7, STRUCK THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF THE GLASTAR, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE. THE PILOT OF THE GLASTAR CONTINUED THE FLIGHT AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AT THE NAPA VALLEY AIRPORT. THE PILOT OF THE CHEROKEE AIRCRAFT LANDED AT THE SONOMA VALLEY AIRPORT. NO INJURIES TO EITHER PILOT OF AIRCRAFT.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.