# NTSB LAX98LA253: Yakovlev YAK-55M, N910RT, Lincoln, CA, August 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1998, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, CA - Coordinates: 38.930484, -121.250541 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9305&lon=-121.2505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA253 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of the other aircraft's inadequate visual lookout ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's inadequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) Both aircraft collided on short final approach to the runway. Examination of both aircraft disclosed that the Yak-55M descended on top of the Cessna 172 while over the threshold. The pilot of the Yak-55M stated that the was returning to the field after practicing aerobatic maneuvers and entered left traffic for runway 15 by crossing over the runway at midfield. As he overflew the runway he heard an aircraft call on final approach for runway 15 over the CTAF. He observed an aircraft on a 1/2-mile final and followed that aircraft on a short turning base to final approach. As he rolled out on final and prepared to flare, he felt the collision with an unseen aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that he was in the traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. He said that he called on the CTAF number three for landing behind a Cessna 150 and extended his pattern slightly to allow time for that aircraft to clear the runway. The pilot also reported that he announced his position while on base and final approach. Just as he was flaring the aircraft, he felt a jolt and the aircraft was forced down onto the runway. The pilot of a Cessna 150 in the pattern behind the Cessna 172 stated that he was on downwind when the Yak-55M crossed over the field and cut him off while turning on downwind. The witness reported that the Yak-55M nearly hit his aircraft. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) Both aircraft collided on short final approach to the runway. Examination of both aircraft disclosed that the Yak-55M descended on top of the Cessna 172 while over the threshold. The pilot of the Yak-55M stated that he was returning to the field after practicing aerobatic maneuvers and entered left traffic for runway 15 by crossing over the runway at midfield. As he overflew the runway he heard an aircraft call on final approach for runway 15 over the CTAF. He observed an aircraft on a 1/2-mile final and followed that aircraft on a short turning base to final approach. As he rolled out on final and prepared to flare, he felt the collision with an unseen aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that he was in the traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. He said that he called on the CTAF number three for landing behind a Cessna 150 and extended his pattern slightly to allow time for that aircraft to clear the runway. The pilot also reported that he announced his position while on base and final approach. Just as he was flaring the aircraft, he felt a jolt and the aircraft was forced down onto the runway. The pilot of a Cessna 150 in the pattern behind the Cessna 172 stated that he was on downwind when the Yak-55M crossed over the field and cut him off while turning on downwind. The witness reported that the Yak-55M nearly hit his aircraft. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On August 1, 1998, at 1215 hours Pacific daylight time, a Yakolev YAK-55M, N910RT, collided with a Cessna 172M, N4451R, while both aircraft were on short final approach to runway 15 at the Lincoln, California, airport. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. Neither of the respective private pilots, the sole occupants of their aircraft, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either operation. The Yakolev, owned and operated by its pilot, was returning to the airport at the conclusion of a local area personal flight, which originated about 1130. The Cessna, rented by its pilot from the operator, Atkin Air at the Lincoln airport, was in the traffic pattern performing takeoff and landing practice. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site, examined the two aircraft, and interviewed both pilots and a witness to the accident. The pilot of the Yak-55M stated that he was returning to the field after practicing aerobatic maneuvers and entered left traffic for runway 15 by crossing over the runway at midfield. As he overflew the runway he heard an aircraft call on final approach for runway 15 over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). He observed an aircraft on a 1/2-mile final and followed that aircraft on a short turning base to final approach. As he rolled out on final and prepared to flare, he felt the collision with an unseen aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that he was in the traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. He stated that he called on the CTAF number three for landing behind a Cessna 150 and extended his pattern slightly to allow time for that aircraft to clear the runway. The pilot also reported that he announced his position while on base and final approach. Just as he was flaring the aircraft, he felt a jolt and the aircraft was forced down onto the runway. The pilot of a Cessna 150 in the pattern behind the Cessna 172 stated that he was on downwind when the Yak-55M crossed over the field and cut him off while turning on downwind. The witness reported that the Yak-55M nearly hit his aircraft. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On August 1, 1998, at 1215 hours Pacific daylight time, a Yakolev YAK-55M, N910RT, collided with a Cessna 172M, N4451R, while both aircraft were on short final approach to runway 15 at the Lincoln, California, airport. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. Neither of the respective private pilots, the sole occupants of their aircraft, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either operation. The Yakolev, owned and operated by its pilot, was returning to the airport at the conclusion of a local area personal flight, which originated about 1130. The Cessna, rented by its pilot from the operator, Atkin Air at the Lincoln airport, was in the traffic pattern performing takeoff and landing practice. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site, examined the two aircraft, and interviewed both pilots and a witness to the accident. The pilot of the Yak-55M stated that he was returning to the field after practicing aerobatic maneuvers and entered left traffic for runway 15 by crossing over the runway at midfield. As he overflew the runway he heard an aircraft call on final approach for runway 15 over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). He observed an aircraft on a 1/2-mile final and followed that aircraft on a short turning base to final approach. As he rolled out on final and prepared to flare, he felt the collision with an unseen aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that he was in the traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. He stated that he called on the CTAF number three for landing behind a Cessna 150 and extended his pattern slightly to allow time for that aircraft to clear the runway. The pilot also reported that he announced his position while on base and final approach. Just as he was flaring the aircraft, he felt a jolt and the aircraft was forced down onto the runway. The pilot of a Cessna 150 in the pattern behind the Cessna 172 stated that he was on downwind when the Yak-55M crossed over the field and cut him off while turning on downwind. The witness reported that the Yak-55M nearly hit his aircraft. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N910RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910RT-2013-06-21), registration cancelled 2013-06-21, S/N 0910 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yakovlev YAK-55M - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK-55M](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-55m) (registry code 9830224) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0910 - Airframe hours: 105 - Engines: Vendeneyev M-14P 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert T. Thiessen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1998 - Departed: LHM - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Regional, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N4451R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4451R-1998-10-06), registration cancelled 1998-10-06, S/N 17263193 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263193 - Airframe hours: 1542 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Atkin Air - Registered owner: Sandra J. Ledrew - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: LHM - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Regional, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N910RT; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total - Pilot, aircraft N4451R; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 24 in this make and model, 502 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 45 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MYV, 12 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 19980801019301A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801019301A), Aug 1, 1998: Yaklev YAK55A, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. Acft laned on top of N4451R, on final approach at 3 feet off the ground, both aircraft collided on short final approach to the runway. Examination of both… - [Accident 19980801019182A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801019182A), Aug 1, 1998: Cessna 172M, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. Acft had just landed when it was struck by above by N910RT, which landed on top of N4451R, both acft have substantial damage. (From .4) both aircraft collided… 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.