# NTSB LAX86LA189: Cessna 195A, N4496C, San Rafael, CA, April 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1986, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: San Rafael, CA
- Coordinates: 37.969554, -122.500106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9696&lon=-122.5001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, landing
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, landing
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE TWO AIRCRAFT COLLIDED ON THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING APPROACH. THE CESSNA PILOT HAD WASHED HIS AIRCRAFT AND HAD MADE A LOCAL FLIGHT TO DRY IT OFF. THE BEECK PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM A NEARBY AIRPORT WHERE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE CESSNA HAD LANDED AND WAS ROLLING ON THE RUNWAY WHEN THE BEECK LANDED ON TOP OF IT. EACH PILOT STATED THAT HE ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS, BUT EACH PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HEAR THE OTHER.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE TWO AIRCRAFT COLLIDED ON THE RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. THE CESSNA PILOT HAD WASHED HIS AIRCRAFT AND HAD MADE A LOCAL FLIGHT TO DRY IT OFF. THE BEECH PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM A NEARBY AIRPORT WHERE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE CESSNA HAD LANDED AND WAS ROLLING ON THE RUNWAY WHEN THE BEECH LANDED ON TOP OF IT. EACH PILOT STATED THAT HE ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS, BUT EACH PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HEAR THE OTHER.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4496C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4496C-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 16080, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195A
- Registry model: [Cessna 195A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195a) (registry code 2073110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16080
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: F. V. De Peyster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1985, 35 hours before
- Airport: CA35, Smiths Ranch, runway 22, 2,138 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N3947N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3947N-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N D-1206, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D1206
- Airframe hours: 4580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Duane C. Hughes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Airport: CA35, Smiths Ranch, runway 22, 2,138 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4496C; age 39; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N3947N; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 354 total, 263 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 17 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 19860423075792A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860423075792A), Apr 23, 1986: Cessna 195A, San Rafael, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft had just landed when it was struck by N3947N. N44966 used incorrect traffic pattern procedures.
- [Accident 19860423075791A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860423075791A), Apr 23, 1986: Beech 35BEECH, San Rafael, CA, Minor damage. The aircraft was in the landing flare when it struck N4496C. N3947N misused radios and failed to clear final.

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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