# NTSB LAX87LA122: Boeing PT-13D, N620BD, Vacaville, CA, February 22, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1987, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.410263, -122.009437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4103&lon=-122.0094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA122 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE AIRCRAFT WERE IN THE HOLDING AREA SHORT OF RUNWAY 19 AT THE UNCONTROLLED NUT TREE AIRPORT. THE CESSNA PILOT TAXIED INTO POSITION BEHIND LANDING TRAFFIC AND ALLOWED HIS AIRCRAFT TO ROLL SLOWLY FORWARD WHILE WAITING FOR THE LANDING AIRCRAFT TO CLEAR THE RUNWAY. THE CESSNA PILOT STOPPED HIS AIRCRAFT WHEN THE LANDING TRAFFIC CONTINUED TO THE RUNWAY END. MEANWHILE, THE BOEING PILOT TAXIED INTO POSITION AND, AFTER ANNOUNCEING HIS INTENTION TO TAKEOFF ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, COMMENCED HIS TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA HEARD ANOTHER AIRCRAFT MAKE A RADIO TRANSMISSION BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND IT. THE PILOT OF THE BOEING AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING FROM THE REAR SEAT. HE SAID HE SAW THE CESSNA AIRCRAFT AS SOON AS HE RAISED THE TAILWHEEL BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE AIRCRAFT WERE IN THE HOLDING AREA SHORT OF RUNWAY 19 AT THE UNCONTROLLED NUT TREE AIRPORT. THE CESSNA PILOT TAXIED INTO POSITION BEHIND LANDING TRAFFIC AND ALLOWED HIS AIRCRAFT TO ROLL SLOWLY FORWARD WHILE WAITING FOR THE LANDING AIRCRAFT TO CLEAR THE RUNWAY. THE CESSNA PILOT STOPPED HIS AIRCRAFT WHEN THE LANDING TRAFFIC CONTINUED TO THE RUNWAY END. MEANWHILE, THE BOEING PILOT TAXIED INTO POSITION AND, AFTER ANNOUNCING HIS INTENTION TO TAKEOFF ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, COMMENCED HIS TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. THE CESSNA PILOT HEARD ANOTHER AIRCRAFT MAKE A TRANSMISSION BUT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IT. THE PILOT OF THE BOEING AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING FROM THE REAR SEAT. HE SAID HE SAW THE CESSNA AIRCRAFT AS SOON AS HE RAISED THE TAILWHEEL BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N620BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N620BD-2008-05-29), registration cancelled 2008-05-29, S/N 75-5620, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING PT-13D - Registry model: [Boeing PT-13D](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-pt-13d) (registry code 1380122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 755620 - Airframe hours: 1200 - Engines: LYCOMING R-680 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William R. Dekker - Registered owner: William R Dekker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 19, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N8070E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8070E-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17272126, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272126 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kevin J. Mcgovern - Registered owner: Kevin J Mcgovern - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1986 - Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA - Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 19, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N620BD; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,384 total, 420 in this make and model, 2,284 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N8070E; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,518 total, 1,590 in this make and model, 3,268 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19870222079721A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870222079721A), Feb 22, 1987: Boeing PT13D, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Started takeoff run without checking runway. Struck Cessna 8070E from the rear that had aborted his takeoff run. - [Accident 19870222079722A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870222079722A), Feb 22, 1987: Cessna 172N, Vacaville, CA, Destroyed. Aborted takeoff roll due to another aircraft on runway. Hit from behind by N620BD on takeoff roll. Delayed too long ## Other investigations on N620BD (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 CHI83LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA420), Sep 7, 1983: Boeing PT-13D (N620BD), Galesburg, IL, substantial damage 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.