# NTSB LAX04CA155: Jerry Garrison Christen Eagle II, N796L, Hollister, CA, March 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 12, 2004, 16:00 local (Mar 13, 2004, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.893333, -121.410003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8933&lon=-121.4100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administrator - NTSB case key (mKey): 58895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA155 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to obtain proper runway alignment and maintain clearance from a sign due to his inadequate visual lookout. Factors in the accident were crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign ## Analysis The airplane collided with a taxiway sign while attempting to land. A crosswind from the left required the pilot to perform a forward slip. As the airplane approached the runway, he raised the nose and leveled the airplane. He noted that the airplane was to the right of centerline, by looking out the left side of the cockpit; in a nose-high attitude the pilot is unable to see in front of this airplane. In his peripheral vision, he could see pavement on both sides of the airplane, leading him to believe that he was still over the runway. The landing gear collided with a taxiway sign off the right side of the runway, and the nose impacted the ground. The pilot noted that there is old pavement adjacent to both sides of the runway, making it appear wider than it is. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2004, about 1600 Pacific standard time, an experimental Christen Eagle II biplane, N796L, collided with a taxiway sign while attempting to land at Hollister Municipal Airport (3O7), Hollister, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight originated from South County Airport of Santa Clara County (Q99), San Martin, California, about 1510, with the planned destination of 3O7. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 31. A crosswind from the left required him to perform a forward slip. As the airplane approached the runway, he raised the nose and leveled the airplane. He noted that the airplane was to the right of centerline, by looking out the left side of the cockpit; in a nose-high attitude the pilot is unable to see in front of this airplane. In his peripheral vision, he could see pavement on both sides of the airplane, leading him to believe that he was still over the runway. The landing gear collided with a taxiway sign off the right side of the runway, and the nose impacted the ground. The airplane skidded across the taxiway and came to rest before reaching runway 6/24. The pilot noted that there is old pavement adjacent to both sides of the runway, making it appear wider than it is. He reported that the wind was from 290 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N796L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N796L), registered now, S/N GAR02 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jerry Garrison Christen Eagle II - Registry model: [Garrison Jerry CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/garrison-jerry-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05626L3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: GAR02 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian Stout - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Q99, San Martin, CA - Destination: 3O7, Hollister, CA - Airport: 3O7, Hollister Municipal Airport, runway 31 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 17, 2002; flight hours: 2,017 total, 48 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040312004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040312004519A), Mar 12, 2004: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon completion of "flight of two" and on landing at Hollister runway 31, left wing struck taxi light aircraft was positioned close to the edge of runway… 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.