# NTSB LAX95LA194: Aero Commander 500S, N9076N, Santa Barbara, CA, May 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1995, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Barbara, CA - Location: 34.4262° N, 119.8415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SANTA BARBARA MUNI (SBA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4262&lon=-119.8415&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29101/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA194 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the inadequate visual lookout by both pilots and their failures to maintain adequate separation from each other while taxiing in a non-movement area. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the inadequate visual lookout by both pilots and their failures to maintain adequate separation from each other while taxiing in a non-movement area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A REVIEW OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER TAPE TRANSCRIPTS VERIFIED THAT BOTH PILOTS HAD BEEN GIVEN AND ACKNOWLEDGED TAXI CLEARANCES, BUT NEITHER HAD RECEIVED TRAFFIC ADVISORIES REGARDING EACH OTHERS TAXI ROUTES. THE WLAC-1 WAS CLEARED TO TAXI WESTBOUND ON TAXIWAY CHARLIE. THE AERO COMMANDER HAD ALSO BEEN CLEARED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY CHARLIE AND WAS ENTERING THE TAXIWAY FROM THE RAMP. AS THE AERO COMMANDER MOVED ONTO THE TAXIWAY BOTH AIRCRAFT CONVERGED AND COLLIDED. NEITHER PILOT REPORTED SEEING THE OTHER UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE PORTION OF TAXIWAY CHARLIE WHERE THE COLLISION OCCURRED WAS REDESIGNATED A RAMP AREA IN 1986. ACCORDING TO FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HANDBOOK 7110.65, NON-MOVEMENT AREAS INCLUDING RAMPS ARE NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TOWER. THE HANDBOOK FURTHER STATES THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COLLISION AVOIDANCE IN NON-MOVEMENT AREAS IS THAT OF THE PILOT. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A REVIEW OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER TAPE TRANSCRIPTS VERIFIED THAT BOTH PILOTS HAD BEEN GIVEN AND ACKNOWLEDGED TAXI CLEARANCES, BUT NEITHER HAD RECEIVED TRAFFIC ADVISORIES REGARDING EACH OTHERS TAXI ROUTES. THE WLAC-1 WAS CLEARED TO TAXI WESTBOUND ON TAXIWAY CHARLIE. THE AERO COMMANDER HAD ALSO BEEN CLEARED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY CHARLIE AND WAS ENTERING THE TAXIWAY FROM THE RAMP. AS THE AERO COMMANDER MOVED ONTO THE TAXIWAY BOTH AIRCRAFT CONVERGED AND COLLIDED. NEITHER PILOT REPORTED SEEING THE OTHER UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE PORTION OF TAXIWAY CHARLIE WHERE THE COLLISION OCCURRED WAS REDESIGNATED A RAMP AREA IN 1986. ACCORDING TO FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HANDBOOK 7110.65, NON-MOVEMENT AREAS INCLUDING RAMPS ARE NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TOWER. THE HANDBOOK FURTHER STATES THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COLLISION AVOIDANCE IN NON-MOVEMENT AREAS IS THAT OF THE PILOT. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On May 23, 1995, at 1215 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 500S, N9076N, collided with an experimental WLAC-1, N101WL, while both aircraft were taxiing at Santa Barbara, California, airport. The Aero Commander was owned and operated by Commandair and was departing on an aerial observation mission. The experimental WLAC-1 was owned and operated by the pilot and was preparing to depart on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither aircraft had filed a flight plan for their respective operations. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot of the Aero Commander nor the certificated private pilot of the WLAC-1 was injured; however, the sole passenger onboard the Aero Commander sustained serious injuries. According to statements made by air traffic controllers at the airport, both aircraft had received clearances to taxi, but neither had been given traffic advisories regarding each others taxi routes. The WLAC-1 was cleared to taxi westbound on taxiway Charlie en route to Pacific Aviation. The WLAC-1 had been instructed to hold short of runway 15L. The Aero Commander was cleared to taxi to runway 15L via taxiway Charlie. According to the pilot of the Aero Commancer he was in the process of turning right to reverse direction and entering taxiway Charlie southwest bound from the Santa Barbara Aviation ramp. As the pilot of the Aero Commander began to merge onto taxiway Charlie, his path crossed in front of the oncoming WLAC-1. Both aircraft converged on approximately a 45-degree angle. As the aircraft made contact the left wing of the Aero Commander struck the right wing of the WLAC-1, spinning that aircraft nearly 180 degrees in a clockwise direction. During that process the WLAC-1's propeller struck the Aero Commander in the area of the left pilot's door. The pilot of the Aero Commander was seated in the right seat. He stated that after receiving a taxi clearance, he approached taxiway Charlie, and looked both left and right for vehicles and aircraft. Not seeing any traffic, he started a turn to the right (west). As he entered taxiway Charlie, his aircraft was struck by another aircraft approaching from his left rear. The pilot of the WLAC-1 reported that after receiving a taxi clearance, he was taxiing at the speed of a brisk walk when the Aero Commander appeared rapidly from his right rear blind spot. Upon seeing the aircraft approaching from his right, he attempted to swerve left but was unable to avoid a collision due to the proximity and closure rate of the other aircraft. A review of air traffic control tower (ATCT) tape transcripts verified that both pilots had been given and acknowledged taxi clearances. However, the portion of taxiway Charlie (east of taxiway Juliet) where the collision occurred was redesignated a ramp area on August 11, 1986, by the Santa Barbara Airport Director. According to FAA Air Traffic Control specialists, non-movement areas are not under the control of the ATCT. The responsibility for collision avoidance in non-movement areas is that of the pilot. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On May 23, 1995, at 1215 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 500S, N9076N, collided with an experimental WLAC-1, N101WL, while both aircraft were taxiing at Santa Barbara, California, airport. The Aero Commander was owned and operated by Commandair and was departing on an aerial observation mission. The experimental WLAC-1 was owned and operated by the pilot and was preparing to depart on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither aircraft had filed a flight plan for their respective operations. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot of the Aero Commander nor the certificated private pilot of the WLAC-1 was injured; however, the sole passenger onboard the Aero Commander sustained serious injuries. According to statements made by air traffic controllers at the airport, both aircraft had received clearances to taxi, but neither had been given traffic advisories regarding each others taxi routes. The WLAC-1 was cleared to taxi westbound on taxiway Charlie en route to Pacific Aviation. The WLAC-1 had been instructed to hold short of runway 15L. The Aero Commander was cleared to taxi to runway 15L via taxiway Charlie. According to the pilot of the Aero Commancer he was in the process of turning right to reverse direction and entering taxiway Charlie southwest bound from the Santa Barbara Aviation ramp. As the pilot of the Aero Commander began to merge onto taxiway Charlie, his path crossed in front of the oncoming WLAC-1. Both aircraft converged on approximately a 45-degree angle. As the aircraft made contact the left wing of the Aero Commander struck the right wing of the WLAC-1, spinning that aircraft nearly 180 degrees in a clockwise direction. During that process the WLAC-1's propeller struck the Aero Commander in the area of the left pilot's door. The pilot of the Aero Commander was seated in the right seat. He stated that after receiving a taxi clearance, he approached taxiway Charlie, and looked both left and right for vehicles and aircraft. Not seeing any traffic, he started a turn to the right (west). As he entered taxiway Charlie, his aircraft was struck by another aircraft approaching from his left rear. The pilot of the WLAC-1 reported that after receiving a taxi clearance, he was taxiing at the speed of a brisk walk when the Aero Commander appeared rapidly from his right rear blind spot. Upon seeing the aircraft approaching from his right, he attempted to swerve left but was unable to avoid a collision due to the proximity and closure rate of the other aircraft. A review of air traffic control tower (ATCT) tape transcripts verified that both pilots had been given and acknowledged taxi clearances. However, the portion of taxiway Charlie (east of taxiway Juliet) where the collision occurred was redesignated a ramp area on August 11, 1986, by the Santa Barbara Airport Director. According to FAA Air Traffic Control specialists, non-movement areas are not under the control of the ATCT. The responsibility for collision avoidance in non-movement areas is that of the pilot. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N9076N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9076N-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 3063, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500S - Registry model: [Aero Commander 500 S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-s) (registry code 0141107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3063 - Airframe hours: 7005 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Commadair Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 1, 1995, 15 hours before - Departed: SBA - Destination: CRQ, PALOMAR, CA - Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N101WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101WL-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHAFFER WLAC-1 - Registry model: [Shaffer Edward TH WLAC-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaffer-edward-th-wlac-1) (registry code 056126P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 248 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360C 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dennis Bruce Dierenfield - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1994, 118 hours before - Departed: SBA - Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N9076N; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,146 total, 3,800 in this make and model, 8,177 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N101WL; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 901 total, 220 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBA ## 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 19950523012871A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950523012871A), May 23, 1995: Gulstm 500S, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. While leaving ramp for takeoff collided with N101WL that was taxiing to ramp both converged on same taxiway. - [Accident 19950523012872A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950523012872A), May 23, 1995: Amtrlw WLAC1, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. While turning off taxiway to ramp was struck by N9076N that was turning off ramp to taxi on same taxiway. 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.