# NTSB LAX95LA209: Beech E35, N3875B, Tucson, AZ, June 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1995, 18:20 local (Jun 6, 1995, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.150707, -110.929611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1507&lon=-110.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29116/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA209 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a taxiway sign while taxiing clear of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - sign - communications equipment - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis WHILE HOLDING IN POSITION ON RUNWAY 29R, THE PILOT LOST RADIO CONTACT WITH THE TOWER. THE PILOT GLANCED AT SHORT TRAFFIC ON RUNWAY 21, AND ALSO NOTICED A RED FLASHING LIGHT FROM THE TOWER. THE PILOT TOUCHED THE VOLUME CONTROL KNOB AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD THE TOWER GIVING HIM INSTRUCTIONS TO CLEAR THE RUNWAY. WHILE TAXIING CLEAR OF THE RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE TAXIWAY SIGN. DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING SPAR RESULTED. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 1995, at 1820 hours mountain standard time, a Beech E35, N3875B, was substantially damaged when it collided with a taxiway sign while taxiing clear of runway 29R on taxiway A11, at Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the operation. The aircraft was being flown under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight was originating from Tucson, Arizona, at the time of the accident. Cassette re-recordings of the air-to-ground communications tapes from the Tucson Air Traffic Control Tower were reviewed, along with the pilot's written report. The pilot was cleared into position and hold by the tower onto runway 29R via taxiway A13. The pilot taxied into position, but did not hear any further instruction for several minutes. The pilot glanced at short traffic on runway 21 and then noticed a red flashing light from the tower. He touched the volume knob on the radio, and almost immediately he heard the tower instruct him to clear the runway. As the pilot exited runway 29R via taxiway A11, the aircraft right wing came into contact with the taxiway sign. Damage to the right wing spar resulted from the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3875B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3875B), registered now, S/N D-4198, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH E35 - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D4198 - Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Albert G. Freeman - Registered owner: Horace Higgins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TUS - Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: TUS, Tucson International, runway 29R, 10,994 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,843 total, 290 in this make and model, 1,843 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950605020519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950605020519A), Jun 5, 1995: Beech E35, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Position hold. NORDO until tower gave red light. Tuned radio. Advised clear runway. Turned off struck taxiway sign. ## Other investigations on N3875B (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 UNK64X1262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1262), Apr 11, 1964: Beechcraft F35 (N3875B), San Angelo, TX, 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.