# NTSB LAX08LA004: Yakovlev YAK-50, N509RA, El Cajon, CA, October 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 2007, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66855/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA004 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The inadequate visual lookout of the pilot of another airplane and his failure to maintain clearance from a taxiing airplane. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The inadequate visual lookout of the pilot and his failure to maintain clearance from a taxiing airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) Four Yakovlev YAK-50 airplanes were conducting a formation flight. The number four airplane (N509RA) was landing on the right side of runway 27R in a staggered pattern behind the number three airplane (N950MS). During the landing roll, the number four airplane's propeller and right wing leading edge struck the tail section of the number three airplane. The number four airplane had floated and landed past his intended landing point due to gusty winds. The number three airplane had crossed onto the right side of the runway during his touchdown and landing roll due to the crosswinds. The number four airplane slowed to a taxi speed after landing and began a left turn onto the taxiway. The pilot of the number four airplane did not see the number three airplane until the propeller of his airplane impacted the tail section of the number three airplane. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) Four Yakovlev YAK-50 airplanes were conducting a formation flight. The number four airplane (N509RA) was landing on the right side of runway 27R in a staggered pattern behind the number three airplane (N950MS). During the landing roll, the number four airplane's propeller and right wing leading edge struck the tail section of the number three airplane. The number four airplane had floated and landed past his intended landing point due to gusty winds. The number three airplane had crossed onto the right side of the runway during his touchdown and landing roll due to the crosswinds. The number four airplane slowed to a taxi speed after landing and began a left turn onto the taxiway. The pilot of the number four airplane did not see the number three airplane until the propeller of his airplane impacted the tail section of the number three airplane. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 6, 2007, about 1335 Pacific daylight time, a Yakovlev YAK-50, N509RA, collided on the ground with a Yakovlev YAK-50, N950MS, at Gillespie Field Airport, El Cajon, California. Both owners were operating their airplanes under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The airline transport pilot flying N509RA was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The airline transport pilot in N950MS was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator and rudder. The local flights departed Gillespie Field at 1215. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rule (VFR) flight plan had been filed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), four airplanes were conducting a formation flight. During the landing roll on runway 27R, the number four airplane (N509RA) struck the number three airplane (N950MS). The number four airplane sustained minor damage, including damage to the propeller and damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The number three airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail section. The pilot of the number four airplane reported that he was landing behind the number three airplane, using a staggered landing pattern. Due to the gusty wind conditions, the number four airplane floated on landing and touched down past the intended landing point on the runway. After landing, the number four airplane slowed to 2-3 miles per hour and began to turn to the left to exit onto taxiway 02. The pilot reported that he was confused because he did not see the other airplane, but decided that the number three airplane had continued further down the runway. The pilot of the number four airplane did not see the number three airplane until the propeller of his airplane impacted the tail section of the number three airplane. In a later conversation between the pilots, the pilot of the number three airplane stated that during his landing he had crossed onto the right side of the runway. The pilot of the number four airplane thought that this was due to the crosswind conditions. The right side of the runway had been designated to the number four airplane. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Gillespie Field was issued at 1347. It stated: winds from 260 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots; visibility 30 miles; skies clear; temperature 22 degrees Celsius; dew point 5 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.02 inHg. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 6, 2007, about 1335 Pacific daylight time, a Yakovlev YAK-50, N509RA, collided on the ground with a Yakovlev YAK-50, N950MS, at Gillespie Field Airport, El Cajon, California. Both owners were operating their airplanes under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The airline transport pilot flying N509RA was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The airline transport pilot in N950MS was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator and rudder. The local flights departed Gillespie Field at 1215. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rule (VFR) flight plan had been filed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), four airplanes were conducting a formation flight. During the landing roll on runway 27R, the number four airplane (N509RA) struck the number three airplane (N950MS). The number four airplane sustained minor damage, including damage to the propeller and damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The number three airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail section. The pilot of the number four airplane reported that he was landing behind the number three airplane, using a staggered landing pattern. Due to the gusty wind conditions, the number four airplane floated on landing and touched down past the intended landing point on the runway. After landing, the number four airplane slowed to 2-3 miles per hour and began to turn to the left to exit onto taxiway 02. The pilot reported that he was confused because he did not see the other airplane, but decided that the number three airplane had continued further down the runway. The pilot of the number four airplane did not see the number three airplane until the propeller of his airplane impacted the tail section of the number three airplane. In a later conversation between the pilots, the pilot of the number three airplane stated that during his landing he had crossed onto the right side of the runway. The pilot of the number four airplane thought that this was due to the crosswind conditions. The right side of the runway had been designated to the number four airplane. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Gillespie Field was issued at 1347. It stated: winds from 260 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots; visibility 30 miles; skies clear; temperature 22 degrees Celsius; dew point 5 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.02 inHg. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N509RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N509RA-2011-11-04), registration cancelled 2011-11-04, S/N 832509, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yakovlev YAK-50 - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-50) (registry code 9830110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 832509 - Engines: Ivchenko Vedeneye M14P 360 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field Airport, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N950MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N950MS), registered now, S/N 791507 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yakovlev YAK-50 - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-50) (registry code 9830110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 791507 - Engines: Ivchenko VedeneyevM14P 420 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: YAK Driver LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field Airport, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N509RA; age 46; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 9,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 8,600 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N950MS; age 44; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1; seat: single; flight hours: 4,000 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## 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 20071006827171A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071006827171A), Oct 6, 2007: Yaklev YAK50, San Diego/El C, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was in aircraft no. 4 of a four ship formation flight. The accident occurred after landing on runway 27R at Gillespie… - [Accident 20071006827192A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071006827192A), Oct 6, 2007: Yaklev YAK50, San Diego/El C, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was ship no. 3 of a four ship formation flight. He was cleared for and had completed his landing on 27R at Gillespie… 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.