# NTSB GAA18CA087: Maule MX7, N61SR, Willow, AK, December 18, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 18, 2017, 11:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.751945, -150.053054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7519&lon=-150.0531&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96501/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96501
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA087

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid another airplane stopped on the taxiway while taxiing in sun glare conditions.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The other pilot’s failure to see and avoid another airplane parked on the taxiway while taxiing in sun glare conditions.

## 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 of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=5460186), [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: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102002), [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-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5460186), [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-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The airplane pilot reported that, while taxiing from the runway to his tie-down space, he was taxiing "into the sun." He added that, before he could react, he struck the tail of another airplane, which was stopped on the taxiway. The pilot of the stopped airplane reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was planning to depart and had stopped on the taxiway to put on his seat belt when his airplane was struck from behind. The taxiing airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut; the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The airplane pilot reported that, while taxiing from the runway to his tie-down space, he was taxiing "into the sun." He added that, before he could react, he struck the tail of another airplane, which was stopped on the taxiway. The pilot of the stopped airplane reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was planning to depart and had stopped on the taxiway to put on his seat belt when his airplane was struck from behind. The taxiing airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut; the stopped airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the Piper airplane reported that, while taxiing from the runway to his tie-down space, he was taxiing "into the sun". He added that, before he could react, he struck the tail of a Maule airplane, which was stopped on the taxiway. The pilot of the Maule airplane reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was planning to depart and had stopped on the taxiway to put on his seat belt, when his airplane was struck from behind. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut; the Maule sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The Piper and Maule pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the Piper airplane reported that, while taxiing from the runway to his tie-down space, he was taxiing "into the sun". He added that, before he could react, he struck the tail of a Maule airplane, which was stopped on the taxiway. The pilot of the Maule airplane reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was planning to depart and had stopped on the taxiway to put on his seat belt, when his airplane was struck from behind. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut; the Maule sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The Piper and Maule pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N61SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61SR-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 20016C, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (180A)
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180a) (registry code 5460186) (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: 20016C
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 2017
- Departed: UUO, Willow, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: UUO, Willow
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N1562A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1562A), registered now, S/N 20-768 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 20 (150)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-768
- Year built: 1954
- Airframe hours: 3326.33
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2017
- Departed: Trail Lake, AK
- Destination: UUO, Willow, AK
- Airport: UUO, Willow
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N61SR; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left
- Pilot, aircraft N1562A; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 719.2 total, 356.2 in this make and model, 615.7 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: PAWS, 18 nm away

## 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 20171218023971A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171218023971A), Dec 18, 2017: Maule MX-7-180A, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. After landing N1562A taxied into parked aircraft N61SR, causing substantial damage.
- [Accident 20171218023272A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171218023272A), Dec 18, 2017: Piper PA-20, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. After landing aircraft N1562A taxied into parked aircraft N61SR preparing to taxi.

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 26, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96501. 13.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N1562A (item 1, .PDF, 10.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N1562A-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N61SR (item 2, .PDF, 842 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N61SR-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460322&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.

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