# NTSB LAX84LA009: North American SNJ-2, N61563, Fresno, CA, October 9, 1983 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1983, 17:47 local (Oct 9, 1983, 00:47 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.75019, -119.670974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7502&lon=-119.6710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 24056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24056/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA009 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - communications/information/atc - improper use of, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) - safety advisory - not issued, pilot in command - object - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - communications/information/atc - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor) - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(non-faa) - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A FLT OF 5 NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-2 ACFT WERE ON A FLT FROM LONG BEACH TO FRESNO, CA. BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT, THE LEAD PLT IN N61563 WAS TO HANDLE THE RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH ATC FACILITIES. DURING ARRIVAL AT FRESNO, THE LOCAL CONTROLLER INQUIRED WHETHER THE GROUP DESIRED TO BE HANDLED AS A FLT. THE LEADER RESPONDED THAT THE ACFT 'WILL LAND INDIVIDUALLY.' THEREAFTER #1 RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO LAND ON RWY 29R. DURING THE LANDING, THE #1 PLT TURNED OFF ON HI SPEED TAXIWAY 'M', BUT WAS INSTRUCTED TO HOLD SHORT OF RWY 29L. HE ACKNOWLEDGED & COMPLIED WITH THE INSTRUCTION. THE #2 PLT IN N60645 ALSO LANDED ON RWY 29R, ABOUT 2000 TO 3000 FT BEHIND #1. HE TOO TURNED OFF ON HI SPEED TAXIWAY 'M'. BUT DID NOT HEAR THE HOLDING INSTRUCTION THAT WAS ISSUED TO N61563. SINCE THE PLT (#2) OF THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT HAD A BLIND AREA OVER HIS NOSE, HE DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS CONVERGING ON #1. SUBSEQUENTLY, #2 (N60645) COLLIDED WITH #1 (N61563) FROM THE REAR.THE LOCAL CONTROLLER DID NOT INFORM THE PLT OF N60645 THAT HE WAS CONVERGING ON N61563. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A FLT OF 5 NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-2 ACFT WERE ON A FLT FROM LONG BEACH TO FRESNO, CA. BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT, THE LEAD PLT IN N61563 WAS TO HANDLE THE RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH ATC FACILITIES. DURING ARRIVAL AT FRESNO, THE LOCAL CONTROLLER INQUIRED WHETHER THE GROUP DESIRED TO BE HANDLED AS A FLT. THE LEADER RESPONDED THAT THE ACFT 'WILL LAND INDIVIDUALLY.' THEREAFTER #1 RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO LAND ON RWY 29R. DURING THE LANDING, THE #1 PLT TURNED OFF ON HI SPEED TAXIWAY 'M', BUT WAS INSTRUCTED TO HOLD SHORT OF RWY 29L. HE ACKNOWLEDGED & COMPLIED WITH THE INSTRUCTION. THE #2 PLT IN N60645 ALSO LANDED ON RWY 29R, ABOUT 2000 TO 3000 FT BEHIND #1. HE TOO TURNED OFF ON HI SPEED TAXIWAY 'M', BUT DID NOT HEAR THE HOLDING INSTRUCTION THAT WAS ISSUED TO N61563. SINCE THE PLT (#2) OF THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT HAD A BLIND AREA OVER HIS NOSE, HE DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS CONVERGING ON #1. SUBSEQUENTLY, #2 (N60645) COLLIDED WITH #1 (N6L563) FROM THE REAR.THE LOCAL CONTROLLER DID NOT INFORM THE PLT OF N60645 THAT HE WAS CONVERGING ON N61563. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N61563](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61563), registered now, S/N 2025, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-2 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-2) (registry code 6400404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2025 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skytypers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983 - Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA - Airport: FAT, Fresno Air Terminal, runway 29R, 9,222 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N60645](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60645), registered now, S/N 79-3993, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-2 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-2) (registry code 6400404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 79-3993 - Airframe hours: 3560 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skytypers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983 - Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA - Airport: FAT, Fresno Air Terminal, runway 29R, 9,222 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N61563; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 3,750 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N60645; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 27,700 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 19831008056952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831008056952A), Oct 8, 1983: Namer SNJ2, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. While holding on taxiway was struck by N60645 that had entered taxiway behind N61563. Tower failed to warn pilot. - [Accident 19831008056951A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831008056951A), Oct 8, 1983: Namer SNJ2, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. On leaving active runway ran into the empennage of N61563 holding on the taxiway. Aircraft is blind forward. ## Other investigations on N61563 (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 NYC94LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA009), Oct 15, 1993: North American SNJ-2 (N61563), Skaneateles, NY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation which failed to adequately secure cargo, resulting control interference. A factor was the overgross weight condition of the airplane. 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.