# NTSB GAA16CA132: Consolidated Vultee BT 15, N67086, Chino, CA, February 13, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 13, 2016, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 33.974723, -117.63639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9747&lon=-117.6364&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92734/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92734
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA132

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The taxiing pilot's failure to remain a safe distance from the stopped airplane while taxiing to the run-up area, resulting in a ground collision and substantial damage.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2420312), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2420312), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2420312), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2420312), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2420312), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

According to the taxiing pilot, during taxi to the run-up area in order to perform a maintenance check, he attempted to maneuver around an airplane that had stopped in the non-movement area. He reported that the left wing of his airplane impacted the tail of the stopped airplane. According to the pilot of the stopped airplane, he had taxied out of the refuel station in order to allow other aircraft to refuel. He reported that he taxied south and stopped in the non-movement area next to the aircraft tie downs, where he remained stopped for approximately five minutes as he set up the radios and received the ATIS information for his flight. He reported that he felt an impact from the rear of his airplane; he shut down his engine, and exited the airplane. The taxiing airplane sustained minor damage to the left wing and stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and vertical stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the taxi that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

According to the taxiing pilot, during taxi to the run-up area in order to perform a maintenance check, he attempted to maneuver around an airplane that had stopped in the non-movement area. He reported that the left wing of his airplane impacted the tail of the stopped airplane. According to the pilot of the stopped airplane, he had taxied out of the refuel station in order to allow other aircraft to refuel. He reported that he taxied south and stopped in the non-movement area next to the aircraft tie downs, where he remained stopped for approximately five minutes as he set up the radios and received the ATIS information for his flight. He reported that he felt an impact from the rear of his airplane; he shut down his engine, and exited the airplane. The taxiing airplane sustained minor damage to the left wing and stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and vertical stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the taxi that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N67086](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67086), registered now, S/N 9597, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED VULTEE BT 15 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Consolidated Vultee BT-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-vultee-bt-15) (registry code 2420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 975E&F-2&3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-975e-f-2-3) (registry code 67015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9597
- Year built: 1943
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curtiss Bruce Christenson
- Registered owner: Mark Helmricks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CNO, Chino, CA
- Destination: CNO, Chino, CA
- Airport: CNO, Chino
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N201DQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201DQ), registered now, S/N 24-0091, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0091
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 1207.7
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brande Lewis
- Registered owner: Brande Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CNO, Chino, CA
- Destination: CNO, Chino, CA
- Airport: CNO, Chino
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N67086; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,200 total, 3,195 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N201DQ; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 467 total, 36 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KCNO

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20160213008142I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160213008142I), Feb 13, 2016: Consolidated Vultee BT-15, Chino, CA, Minor damage. On 02/13/2016 at approximately 1300 hrs, aircraft N67086 was being repositioned by a mechanic to perform post maintenance engine checks. While attempting to go…
- [Incident 20160213003802I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160213003802I), Feb 13, 2016: Mooney M20J, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. On 02/13/2016 at approximately 1300 hrs, aircraft N201DQ was struck by another aircraft that was being repositioned by a mechanic to perform post maintenance…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92734. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N67086) (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N67086)-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N201DQ) (item 2, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N201DQ)-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 3, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.

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