# NTSB LAX03LA080: Beech S-35, N6106V, Quartzsite, AZ, February 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 2003 - Place: Quartzsite, AZ - Coordinates: 33.661401, -114.23353 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6614&lon=-114.2335&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA080 ## Probable cause The driver of the vehicle did not stop prior to crossing the airstrip as directed by airstrip signage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - procedures/directives - not complied with, driver of vehicle (cause) - object - vehicle - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane collided with a car crossing the runway. After the airplane touched down on the dirt strip, a car pulled out to cross the runway. The pilot attempted to go around but the left main gear hit the car and sheared off. The airplane skidded down the runway and veered off to the left, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The airstrip was marked with "stop" and "landing area" signs; however, the car did not stop before crossing the airstrip. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 2003, at 1110 mountain standard time, a Beech S-35, N6106V, collided with a car crossing the runway at Desert Gardens Airstrip, Quartzsite, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, about 1000 Pacific standard time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he flew from Montgomery Field, San Diego, California, to Carlsbad, and then filed IFR to Blythe, California. He arrived at Blythe, canceled his IFR flight plan, and continued on to Desert Gardens Airstrip (a dirt strip). A road crosses the runway, and a car pulled out to cross the runway. The pilot touched down and saw the car. He tried to go around, but the left main gear hit the car and sheared off. The airplane skidded down the runway and veered off to the left, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the airstrip owner stated that the airstrip was marked with "stop" and "landing area" signs; however, the car did not stop before crossing the airstrip. As the car crossed the airstrip, it stopped. The owner further reported that the road crossing the airstrip was closed as a result of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6106V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6106V), registered now, S/N D-7796, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech S-35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7966 - Airframe hours: 3550 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B4 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul E.Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 2002, 100 hours before - Departed: KCRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Destination: PVT, Quartzsite, AZ - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: PVT, Desert Gardens Airstrip, runway 090, 2,900 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 8, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,504 total, 1,402 in this make and model, 1,504 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KBLH, 24 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 20030201001189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030201001189A), Feb 1, 2003: Beech S35, Quartzsite, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 1, 2003, at 1046 mountain standard time, a Beech S-35, N6106V, collided with a car crossing the runway at desert gardens airstrip,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56444. 338 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40178031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Airstrip Owner (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40178028&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Airstrip%20Owner-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.