# NTSB GAA17CA411: Spani Wayne M Starduster TOO SA300, N506WS, San Diego, CA, July 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2017, 15:26 local (22:26 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.816944, -117.136665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8169&lon=-117.1367&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-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA411 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95583/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95583 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA411 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The other pilot's failure to maintain separation from a stationary airplane during the taxi to the runway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's failure to maintain separation from a stationary airplane during the taxi to the runway. ## 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: [Spani Wayne M STARDUSTER TOO SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=056197F), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/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: [Cessna 172N, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072434), [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: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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: [Spani Wayne M STARDUSTER TOO SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056197F), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tandem-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and that the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplanes waiting to depart. He added that his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tandem-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and that the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplanes waiting to depart. He added that his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tandem seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway, and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he had "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplane's awaiting to depart. He added that, his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilot's reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplane's that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tandem seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taxiing to the runway, and seated in the rear seat, he had "poor [forward] visibility" and the airplane's propeller collided with the left wing of a stationary airplane on the taxiway. The pilot reported that he had "broke and turned" as soon as he saw the stationary airplane, but "it was too late." The pilot of the stationary airplane reported that he had stopped on the taxiway due to the run-up area ahead being fully occupied with multiple airplane's awaiting to depart. He added that, his "first awareness" of the tailwheel airplane was the sound of a "loud bang." The stationary airplane's left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The tailwheel airplane sustained minor damage to the propeller. The pilot's reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with their respective airplane's that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N506WS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N506WS), registered now, S/N 1407, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPANI WAYNE M STARDUSTER TOO SA300 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Spani Wayne M STARDUSTER TOO SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/spani-wayne-m-starduster-too-sa300) (registry code 056197F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-435) (registry code 42063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1407 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 443.1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-435-1 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2017 - Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA - Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive - Equipment: None ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N5396E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5396E), registered now, S/N 17271842, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271842 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 12710.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flyers Inc. - Registered owner: Sorbi Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 2017 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N506WS; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 384.7 total, 299.2 in this make and model, 330.5 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2.9 in the last 30 days, 0.1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N5396E; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 350 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KMYF ## 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 20170716024612A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170716024612A), Jul 16, 2017: Spani Wayne M STARDUSTER TOO SA300, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Starduster N506WS was taxing on taxiway c to the run up area for rwy 23. Ahead of him was N5396E. N5396E was waiting on taxiway c for his turn in the run up… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95583. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N506WS (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N506WS-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N5396E (item 2, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N5396E-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.