# NTSB GAA17CA077: Curtiss Wright Travel AIR 4000, N3242, San Diego, CA, November 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 22, 2016, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.813056, -117.137496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8131&lon=-117.1375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94428/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94428 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA077 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The other pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane stopped ahead of him during taxi. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane stopped ahead of him during taxi. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2621802), [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 operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/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: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102807), [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 operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7102807), [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-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that, while taxiing, he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that, while taxiing, he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that while taxiing he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplane's that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was cleared to taxi to the departure runway. He added that while taxiing he was doing S-turns to see over the nose of his airplane, and "must have missed a call to the aircraft [airplane] ahead of him," which had been instructed to hold short of the upcoming taxiway. His airplane impacted the empennage of the stopped airplane that was holding short. His airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplane's that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3242](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3242), registered now, S/N 256, built 1927 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CURTISS WRIGHT TRAVEL AIR 4000 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 256 - Year built: 1929 - Airframe hours: 13655 - Engines: LYCOMING R-680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Aircraft Leasing & Management LLC - Registered owner: Aircraft Leasing & Management LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2016 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive - Equipment: None ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N2242W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2242W-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 28-7990352, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990352 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 7531.25 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 13, 2016 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3242; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 30, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,884 total, 3,813 in this make and model, 17,050 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor, aircraft N2242W; age 40; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot, aircraft N2242W; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 77.1 total, 76 in this make and model, 10.6 as pilot in command, 26.7 in the last 90 days, 8.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KMYF ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20161122021472A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161122021472A), Nov 22, 2016: Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. N3242 was taxiing eastbound on taxiway hotel. N2242W was holding short of juliet on taxiway hotel. The PIC of N3242 did not see that N2242W was stopped and… - [Accident 20161122021482A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161122021482A), Nov 22, 2016: Piper PA-28-181, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. N2242W was on taxiway hotel holding short of juliet as instructed by ATC. N2242W was struck from behind by N3242. The outboard portion of the left wing of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94428. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Travel Air (item 1, .PDF, 766 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Travel%20Air-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1_Piper (item 2, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1_Piper-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.