# NTSB LAX01LA159: Ryan ST3KR, N46503, Murrieta, CA, April 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2001, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Murrieta, CA - Location: 33.5742° N, 117.1285° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRENCH VALLEY (F70), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5742&lon=-117.1285&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist. Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA159 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi to avoid striking a post. A factor in the accident was the inadequate marking of the obstruction by airport personnel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - visual lookout - restricted - object - pole - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, as he taxiied the low-wing, tailwheel equipped aircraft into the run-up area, the underside of the left wing struck a 4-foot-tall pole protecting a fire hydrant. The pilot was seated in the rear cockpit of the tandem-seating aircraft. He reported that the presence of another aircraft entering the run-up area at the same time made it necessary to alter his taxi route and, after he turned sharply, the low post was too close to be visible from the rear cockpit. The pilot also noted that the hydrant was one of two positioned within the operational area of run-up pad and there were no hazard markings painted on the asphalt around the hydrants. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2001, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N46503, was substantially damaged when the aircraft's wing impacted a post during taxi for takeoff at the French Valley Airport, Murrieta, California. The airline transport certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured, and intended to conduct a local area flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that, as he taxiied the tailwheel equipped aircraft into the run-up area adjacent to runway 18, the underside of the left wing struck a 4-foot-tall pole protecting a fire hydrant. The pilot was seated in the rear cockpit of the tandem-seating aircraft. He reported that the presence of another aircraft entering the run-up area at the same time made it necessary to alter his taxi route and, after he turned sharply, the low post was too close to be visible from the rear cockpit. The pilot also noted that the hydrant was one of two positioned within the operational area of run-up pad and there were no hazard markings painted on the asphalt around the hydrant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46503](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46503), registered now, S/N 1290 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1290 - Airframe hours: 2729 - Engines: Kinner R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas S. Valenzia - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2001, 41 hours before - Departed: F70, Murrietta, CA - Airport: F70, French Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 5, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,605 total, 43 in this make and model, 5,641 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 20 nm away ## 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 20010422007899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010422007899A), Apr 22, 2001: Ryan ST3KR, Rancho Calif, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On April 22, 2001, at 1130 hours pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N46503, was substantially damaged when the aircraft's wing impacted a post during… 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.