# NTSB LAX03LA129: Piper PA-36-375, N3859E, Herald, CA, April 5, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 2003, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Herald, CA - Coordinates: 38.30389, -121.250831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3039&lon=-121.2508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56780 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56780/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA129 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft by both pilots that resulted in a midair collision. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft by both pilots that resulted in a midair collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of a Piper PA-36-375 was attempting to land and he collided with a Grumman AA-5B, which had just touched down on the same runway. When the pilot of the Piper heard the collision, he noticed the wings of the Grumman below his airplane. He then executed a go-around, and diverted to another airport. The pilot of the Piper reported only minor damage to his airplane's propeller. The pilot of the Grumman reported damage to his fuselage, empennage, and wing structures. There was no Unicom installed or in use at the airstrip. Both pilots reported that they were not transmitting on any aircraft radio frequencies prior to the accident. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of a Piper PA-36-375 was attempting to land and he collided with a Grumman AA-5B, which had just touched down on the same runway. When the pilot of the Piper heard the collision, he noticed the wings of the Grumman below his airplane. He then executed a go-around, and diverted to another airport. The pilot of the Piper reported only minor damage to his airplane's propeller. The pilot of the Grumman reported damage to his fuselage, empennage, and wing structures. There was no Unicom installed or in use at the airstrip. Both pilots reported that they were not transmitting on any aircraft radio frequencies prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 5, 2003, about 1045 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 36-375, N3859E, collided with a Grumman American AA-5B, N28821, while both airplanes were attempting to land at Bottimore Ranch Airport (65CN) near Herald, California. San Joaquin Air was operating the Piper under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The owner/solo student pilot was operating the Grumman under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant of the Piper, and the student pilot, the sole occupant of the Grumman were not injured. The Piper sustained minor damage; the Grumman sustained substantial damage. The Piper departed on a local aerial application flight at about 1015 from 65CN,. The Grumman was a local instructional flight that departed Kingdon Airpark (O20) Lodi, California, about 1015 en route to 65CN,. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; neither pilot had filed a flight plan. The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 18 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 15 minutes west longitude. The pilot of the Piper said that while he was attempting to land at 65CN, he collided with the Grumman, which had just touched down on the same runway. When the pilot of the Piper heard the collision, he noticed the wings of the Grumman below his airplane. He then executed a go around. Because the Grumman was on the runway at 65CN, the Piper elected to fly to Franklin Field Airport (Q53), Franklin, California. The pilot of the Piper then returned to 65CN via automobile. The pilot of the Grumman said that while he was landing at 65CN, just after the main landing gear had touched down, "the aircraft went all over the place." He said that he did not know that he had been hit by another airplane until he saw the Piper flying away from him. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Piper Pilot A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the Piper pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine land ratings. The pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on September 11, 2002. It had the limitations that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported his estimated total flight time of 20,000 hours. He logged 150 hours in the last 90 days, and 70 in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 4,800 hours in this make and model. Grumman Pilot A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a student pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on March 4, 2003. It had no limitations or waivers. The pilot reported a total flight time of 79.2 hours. He logged 7.3 hours in the last 90 days, and 3.8 in the last 30 days. He had 35.8 hours in this make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Piper The airplane was a Piper PA-36-375, serial number 36-7802028. The airplane operator reported a total airframe time of 7,934 hours at the last manufacturers inspection program (MIP). The last inspection under a continuous airworthiness program (CAP) occurred on March 7, 2003. The engine was a Lycoming IO-720-DICD engine, serial number L-1009-54A. Total time on the engine at the last inspection was 5,380 hours. Grumman The airplane was a Grumman AA-5B, serial number 0840. The pilot/owner of the airplane reported the total airframe time of 1,862 hours at the last annual inspection. An annual inspection was completed on April 15, 2002. At the time of the accident the aircraft had a total time of 1,896.3 hours. The engine was a Lycoming O-360 4AK engine, serial number L24989-36A. Total time on the engine at the last annual inspection was 1,862 hours. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS The closest official weather observation station was Sacramento Executive Airport Sacramento, California (SAC), which was located 20 nautical miles (nm) northeast of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 38 feet msl. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for SAC was issued at 1053 PST. It stated: skies clear; visibility 10 miles; winds from 320 degrees at 7 knots; temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.17 InHg. COMMUNICATIONS There was no Unicom installed or in use at 65CN. Both pilots reported that they were not transmitting on any aircraft radio frequencies prior to the accident. AIRPORT INFORMATION The Airport/ Facility Directory, Southwest U. S. did not list 65CN. AirNav.com listed 65CN with the runway-oriented east/west, and was 2,900 feet long and 25 feet wide. The runway surface was composed of treated dirt. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The pilot of the Piper reported only minor damage to his airplane's propeller. The pilot of the Grumman described the damage to his airplane; the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, upper fuselage, right wing, and the right main landing gear were destroyed. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 5, 2003, about 1045 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 36-375, N3859E, collided with a Grumman American AA-5B, N28821, while both airplanes were attempting to land at Bottimore Ranch Airport (65CN) near Herald, California. San Joaquin Air was operating the Piper under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The owner/solo student pilot was operating the Grumman under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant of the Piper, and the student pilot, the sole occupant of the Grumman were not injured. The Piper sustained minor damage; the Grumman sustained substantial damage. The Piper departed on a local aerial application flight at about 1015 from 65CN,. The Grumman was a local instructional flight that departed Kingdon Airpark (O20) Lodi, California, about 1015 en route to 65CN,. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; neither pilot had filed a flight plan. The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 18 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 15 minutes west longitude. The pilot of the Piper said that while he was attempting to land at 65CN, he collided with the Grumman, which had just touched down on the same runway. When the pilot of the Piper heard the collision, he noticed the wings of the Grumman below his airplane. He then executed a go around. Because the Grumman was on the runway at 65CN, the Piper elected to fly to Franklin Field Airport (Q53), Franklin, California. The pilot of the Piper then returned to 65CN via automobile. The pilot of the Grumman said that while he was landing at 65CN, just after the main landing gear had touched down, "the aircraft went all over the place." He said that he did not know that he had been hit by another airplane until he saw the Piper flying away from him. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Piper Pilot A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the Piper pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine land ratings. The pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on September 11, 2002. It had the limitations that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported his estimated total flight time of 20,000 hours. He logged 150 hours in the last 90 days, and 70 in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 4,800 hours in this make and model. Grumman Pilot A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a student pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on March 4, 2003. It had no limitations or waivers. The pilot reported a total flight time of 79.2 hours. He logged 7.3 hours in the last 90 days, and 3.8 in the last 30 days. He had 35.8 hours in this make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Piper The airplane was a Piper PA-36-375, serial number 36-7802028. The airplane operator reported a total airframe time of 7,934 hours at the last manufacturers inspection program (MIP). The last inspection under a continuous airworthiness program (CAP) occurred on March 7, 2003. The engine was a Lycoming IO-720-DICD engine, serial number L-1009-54A. Total time on the engine at the last inspection was 5,380 hours. Grumman The airplane was a Grumman AA-5B, serial number 0840. The pilot/owner of the airplane reported the total airframe time of 1,862 hours at the last annual inspection. An annual inspection was completed on April 15, 2002. At the time of the accident the aircraft had a total time of 1,896.3 hours. The engine was a Lycoming O-360 4AK engine, serial number L24989-36A. Total time on the engine at the last annual inspection was 1,862 hours. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS The closest official weather observation station was Sacramento Executive Airport Sacramento, California (SAC), which was located 20 nautical miles (nm) northeast of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 38 feet msl. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for SAC was issued at 1053 PST. It stated: skies clear; visibility 10 miles; winds from 320 degrees at 7 knots; temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.17 InHg. COMMUNICATIONS There was no Unicom installed or in use at 65CN. Both pilots reported that they were not transmitting on any aircraft radio frequencies prior to the accident. AIRPORT INFORMATION The Airport/ Facility Directory, Southwest U. S. did not list 65CN. AirNav.com listed 65CN with the runway-oriented east/west, and was 2,900 feet long and 25 feet wide. The runway surface was composed of treated dirt. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The pilot of the Piper reported only minor damage to his airplane's propeller. The pilot of the Grumman described the damage to his airplane; the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, upper fuselage, right wing, and the right main landing gear were destroyed. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3859E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3859E-2008-08-12), registration cancelled 2008-08-12, S/N 36-7802028, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7802028 - Airframe hours: 7934 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: H & R Aerial Enterprises Inc, doing business as San Joaquin Air - Registered owner: Jack Roberts and Gene Hamner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 7, 2003, 68 hours before - Departed: 65CN, HERALD, CA - Destination: 65CN - Airport: 65CN, Bottimore Ranch Airport, runway 27, 2,900 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N28821 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5B0840 - Airframe hours: 1862.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin M. Remynse - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2002, 33.9 hours before - Departed: O20, Lodi, CA - Destination: 65CN, HERALD, CA - Airport: 65CN, Bottimore Ranch Airport, runway 270, 2,900 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3859E; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 29, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N28821; age 43; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 36 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KMHR, 15 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 20030405022491A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030405022491A), Apr 5, 2003: Piper PA36375, Harold, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing at a private airport, bottimore ranch, the pilot of the Grumman tiger lost directional control of the aircraft. After it came to a stop,… - [Accident 20030405022492A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030405022492A), Apr 5, 2003: Amrgen AA5B, Harold, CA, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot landed at bottimore ranch. During roll out, he lost control of the aircraft and did not know why. He then saw an aircraft fly overhead. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N3859E (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX08CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA188), Jun 19, 2008: Piper PA-36-375 (N3859E), Lodi, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue the flight into an area of obscured visibility and his failure to maintain clearance above obstacles. 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.