# NTSB GAA19CA079: Pilatus PC12, N552TC, Mesa, AZ, November 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2018, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.307777, -111.655555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3078&lon=-111.6556&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: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98699/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98699 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA079 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The other pilot's failure to follow the air traffic controller’s instructions and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate lookout to see and avoid the other airplane on the taxiway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's failure to follow the air traffic controller’s instructions and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate lookout to see and avoid the other airplane on the taxiway. ## 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: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/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 172S, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/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: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7090551), [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: [Cessna 172S, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the Pilatus reported that, after the local air traffic controller gave him an instrument flight rules clearance, he taxied the airplane from the ramp to the taxiway. While turning onto the taxiway, the controller instructed him to give way to an airplane on the same taxiway. He acknowledged the instruction; stopped the airplane; looked left and saw a Cessna, which had already passed him. He then looked right and did not see any other airplanes on the taxiway and continued to taxi. Shortly after, he realized that the airplane's propeller had struck something, so he immediately shut down the engine, deplaned, and realized that he had struck another Cessna that he had not seen. The flight instructor in the Cessna that was struck reported that, while the student pilot was taxiing back to the ramp, they were instructed by the local air traffic controller to follow company traffic while passing another airplane to their left. He then looked left outside of the window and saw a spinning propeller moving toward the airplane. He immediately grabbed the controls and hammered the right pedal, but the other airplane's propeller struck their airplane's left wing. The Pilatus sustained damage to the propeller. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. A video provided by the airport authority showed that the Pilatus taxied left onto the taxiway from the ramp without stopping and that there was another airplane farther down the taxiway. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the Pilatus reported that, after the local air traffic controller gave him an instrument flight rules clearance, he taxied the airplane from the ramp to the taxiway. While turning onto the taxiway, the controller instructed him to give way to an airplane on the same taxiway. He acknowledged the instruction; stopped the airplane; looked left and saw a Cessna, which had already passed him. He then looked right and did not see any other airplanes on the taxiway and continued to taxi. Shortly after, he realized that the airplane's propeller had struck something, so he immediately shut down the engine, deplaned, and realized that he had struck another Cessna that he had not seen. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that, while the student pilot was taxiing back to the ramp, they were instructed by the local air traffic controller to follow company traffic while passing another airplane to their left, "holding" short of the same taxiway. He then looked left outside of the window and saw a spinning propeller moving closer toward the airplane. He immediately grabbed the controls and hammered the right pedal, but the other airplane's propeller struck their airplane's left wing. The Pilatus sustained damage to the propeller. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. A video provided by the airport authority showed that the Pilatus taxied left onto the taxiway from the ramp without stopping and that there was another airplane farther down the taxiway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) The pilot of the Pilatus reported that after he received his IFR clearance from the local air traffic controller, he taxied from the ramp to the taxiway. While turning onto the taxiway, he was further instructed by the controller to give way to an airplane on the same taxiway. He acknowledged the instruction, "stopped" the airplane, looked left and saw a Cessna, which already passed him, so he looked right, did not see any other airplanes on the taxiway and continued to taxi. Shortly after, he realized that the propellers struck something, so he immediately shut down the airplane, deplaned, and realized that he struck another Cessna he did not see. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that, while the student pilot was taxiing back to the ramp, they were instructed by the local air traffic controller to follow company traffic while passing another airplane, to their left, "holding" short of the same taxiway. He then looked left outside of his window and saw a spinning propeller moving closer towards the airplane. He immediately grabbed the controls and hammered the right pedal, but the propeller of the other airplane struck their airplane's left wing. The Pilatus sustained damage to the propellers. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. A video provided by the airport authority showed that the Pilatus taxied left on to the taxiway from the ramp without stopping. It also showed that there was another airplane, further down the taxiway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) The pilot of the Pilatus reported that after he received his IFR clearance from the local air traffic controller, he taxied from the ramp to the taxiway. While turning onto the taxiway, he was further instructed by the controller to give way to an airplane on the same taxiway. He acknowledged the instruction, "stopped" the airplane, looked left and saw a Cessna, which already passed him, so he looked right, did not see any other airplanes on the taxiway and continued to taxi. Shortly after, he realized that the propellers struck something, so he immediately shut down the airplane, deplaned, and realized that he struck another Cessna he did not see. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that, while the student pilot was taxiing back to the ramp, they were instructed by the local air traffic controller to follow company traffic while passing another airplane, to their left, "holding" short of the same taxiway. He then looked left outside of his window and saw a spinning propeller moving closer towards the airplane. He immediately grabbed the controls and hammered the right pedal, but the propeller of the other airplane struck their airplane's left wing. The Pilatus sustained damage to the propellers. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. A video provided by the airport authority showed that the Pilatus taxied left on to the taxiway from the ramp without stopping. It also showed that there was another airplane, further down the taxiway. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N552TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N552TC), registered now, S/N 443, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pilatus PC12 (45) - Registry model: [Pilatus PC-12/45](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-45) (registry code 7090551) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67) (registry code 52159, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 443 - Year built: 2002 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B 1200 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daylight Nightlight Ez Flight Llc - Registered owner: Daylight Nightlight Ez Flight Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2018, 3,272 hours before - Departed: IWA, Mesa, AZ - Destination: MRY, Monterey, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: IWA, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, runway 12R, 10,401 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Data recorder, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N976SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N976SP-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 172S8198, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8198 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 10630.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Atp Aircraft 4 Llc - Registered owner: Atp Aircraft 4 Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 19, 2018 - Departed: IWA, Mesa, AZ - Destination: IWA, Mesa, AZ - Airport: IWA, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, runway 12R, 10,401 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N552TC; age 37; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 4,439 total, 2,187 in this make and model, 4,109 as pilot in command - Flight instructor, aircraft N976SP; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 474.3 total, 234.3 in this make and model, 260.2 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 74.3 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N976SP; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1.7 total, 1.7 in this make and model, 1.7 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 45 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KIWA, 1 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98699. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilatus (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilatus-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Cessna (item 2, .PDF, 929 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Cessna-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Position of Airplanes (item 4, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Position%20of%20Airplanes-Master.PDF - Foreign Notification (item 5, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Foreign%20Notification-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.