# NTSB GAA16CA005: Raytheon A36, N53WW, Monterey, CA, October 6, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2015, 20:00 local (Oct 6, 2015, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Monterey, CA - Coordinates: 36.586944, -121.843055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5869&lon=-121.8431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92126/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92126 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA005 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid runway signage during taxi after landing, resulting in a collision and substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Lighting system: exterior lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative; cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: taxiway lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017020): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017020/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing, while taxiing to his hangar at night, he struck a distance remaining sign. He reported that all of the runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time he impacted the sign. The pilot also reported that the airplane landing and taxi lights were inoperative. When asked, the pilot could not recall if the airplane landing and taxi lights were operative during the preflight which he affirms was conducted. After the impact, the pilot continued to his hangar, secured the airplane, and contacted the airport manager the following morning. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time of the accident, but the appropriate NOTAM had been issued, and the information was available to the pilot. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after landing, while taxiing to his hangar at night, he struck a distance remaining sign. He reported that all of the runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time he impacted the sign. The pilot also reported that the airplane landing and taxi lights were inoperative. When asked, the pilot could not recall if the airplane landing and taxi lights were operative during the preflight which he affirms was conducted. After the impact, the pilot continued to his hangar, secured the airplane, and contacted the airport manager the following morning. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The runway and taxiway lights were inoperative at the time of the accident, but the appropriate NOTAM had been issued, and the information was available to the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53WW), registered now, S/N E-3480 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Raytheon A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-a36) (registry code 7150001) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-3480 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 1008 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B39B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven G. John - Registered owner: Steven G. John - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2014 - Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA - Destination: MRY, Monterey, CA - Airport: MRY, Monterey Rgnl, runway 28L, 7,440 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 508 total, 371 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command, 10.6 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MRY ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20151005019829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151005019829A), Oct 5, 2015: Raytheon Aircraft Company A36, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed pao 1935 PDT and arrived mry 2000 PDT. Aircraft landed runway 28L and drifted left on rollout. Aircraft struck runway distance remaining sign… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92126. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.