# NTSB LAX85IA175: Piper PA-44-180, N2138G, San Jose, CA, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 17:13 local (Mar 16, 1985, 01:13 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.339584, -121.900588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3396&lon=-121.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 158 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85IA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85IA175

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Near collision between aircraft, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - radar,brite - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - ifr separation standards - not maintained, atc personnel(dep/apch)
  - improper decision, atc personnel(dep/apch) (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Near collision between aircraft, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - radar,conflict alert - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - ifr separation standards - not maintained, atc personnel(dep/apch)
  - improper decision, atc personnel(dep/apch) (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A PIPER SEMINULE WAS VECTORED TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE & CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH AT 3000FT MSL. A DC-9, IN TRAIL AT 5000FT MSL, WAS OVERTAKING THE SEMINULE. THE CONTROLLER ELECTED TO CHANGE THEIR SEQUENCE & CLEARED THE SEMINULE TO CLIMB TO 4000FT MSL DUE TO RISING TERRAIN & MAKE A RIGHT 360.THE DC-9WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED AN APPROACH CLEARANCE & DESCENT FROM5000FT, WHICH COMPROMISED SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS. THE CONFLICT ALERT WAS MISSED, IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS IDENTICAL WITH THE TERRAIN PROXIMITY ALERT, WHICH SOUNDED FREQUENTLY.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A PIPER SEMINULE WAS VECTORED TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE & CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH AT 3000FT MSL. A DC-9, IN TRAIL AT 5000 FT MSL, WAS OVERTAKING THE SEMINULE. THE CONTROLLER ELECTED TO CHANGE THEIR SEQUENCE & CLEARED THE SEMINULE TO CLIMB TO 4000FT MSL DUE TO RISING TERRAIN & MAKE A RIGHT 360. THE DC-9 WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED AN APPROACH CLEARANCE & DESCENT FROM 5000FT, WHICH COMPROMISED SEPA4RATION REQUIREMENTS. THE CONFLICT ALERT WAS MISSED, IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS IDENTICAL WITH THE TERRAIN PROXIMITY ALERT, WHICH SOUNDED FREQUENTLY.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N2138G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2138G), registered now, S/N 44-7995191, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7995191
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-EIAD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bud Walen Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Intl, runway 30, 4,419 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N476AC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48028
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Air California
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Intl, runway 30, 8,899 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N2138G; age 62; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 839 total, 15 in this make and model, 716 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N476AC; age 42; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 10 nm away

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.

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