# NTSB LAX88IA009: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82, N413AA, Ontario, CA, October 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1987, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Ontario, CA
- Coordinates: 34.020915, -117.579444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0209&lon=-117.5794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 79 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88IA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88IA009

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT TO VISUALLY IDENTIFY THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. FACTURES CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIAITON AIRCRAFT TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC PRIOR TO ENTERING THE ARSA AND MAINTAINING A POOR LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, climb - to cruise
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING THRU 6,500 FEET MSL IN AN ARSA, THE FLT CREW OF THE AAL DC-9-82 OBSERVED A SMALL AIRCRAFT APPROACHING THEIR AIRCRAFT FROM DEAD AHEAD. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE SAME ALTITUDE AND APROX 1/4 MILE AHEAD OF THEIR POSITION. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ATC AND CONTINUED ITS COLLISION COURSE TOWARDS THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. THE DC-9-82 CREW INITIATED A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN AWAY FROM THE SMALL AIRCRAFT. THE CREW ESTIMATED THAT THE SMALL AIRCRAFT PASSED 50 FEET BELOW AND TO THE LEFT OF THEIR AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N413AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N413AA-2017-09-11), registration cancelled 2017-09-11, S/N 49324, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-82
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-82-md-82) (registry code 3022082) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49324
- Engines: P&W J8D 20550 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines, Inc., doing business as American Airlines
- Registered owner: Wimington Trust Company Truste
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ONT, ONTARIO, CA
- Destination: DFW, DALLAS/FT WORTH, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ONT, Ontario, runway 26, 12,200 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,930 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 7 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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