# NTSB LAX99LA069: Cessna 182G, N3787U, San Andreas, CA, December 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1998, 18:00 local (Dec 27, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: San Andreas, CA - Coordinates: 39.729068, -123.329895 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7291&lon=-123.3299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45562/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA069 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The other pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing in a confined area between rows of parked aircraft. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing in a confined area between rows of parked airplanes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - object - aircraft parked/standing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - not performed, pilot in command - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) - object - aircraft moving on ground (cause) - visual lookout - not obtained/maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - not performed, pilot of other aircraft ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of N3787U stated that he had radioed that he was clear of the runway and was taxiing to transient parking, and did not hear anyone else on the frequency. The taxiway area is surrounded by tie down spots on either side of it. N11104 had pulled forward from the tie down area, and saw N3787U moving in his direction. He stopped, and believed that N3787U had enough time to stop or maneuver around his airplane without colliding with it or the other airplanes surrounding the area. The pilot of N3787U was concentrating his attention to the left due to an airplane that they did not want to hit. N3787U heard a sound from the right and saw the right wing being cut off. The taxiway area and airplanes were inspected on-scene. It was noted that the pilot of N3787U would have had a partially obstructed view of the taxiway area due to airplanes parked on either side of it. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of N3787U stated that he had radioed that he was clear of the runway and was taxiing to transient parking, and did not hear anyone else on frequency. The taxiway area is surrounded by tie down spots on either side of it. N11104 had pulled forward from the tie down area, and saw N3787U moving in his direction. He stopped, and believed that N3787U had enough time to stop or maneuver around his airplane without colliding with it or the other airplanes surrounding the area. The pilot of N3787U was concentrating his attention to the left due to an airplane that they did not want to hit. N3787U heard a sound from the right and saw the right wing being cut off. The taxiway area and airplanes were inspected on-scene. It was noted that the pilot of N3787U would have had a partially obstructed view of the taxiway area due to airplanes parked on either side of it. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See narrative for LAX99LA069A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On December 26, 1998, at 1800 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3787U, collided with a Cessna 150L, N11104, while taxiing to parking at the Calaveras County Airport, San Andreas, California. N3787U, operated by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. N11104, operated by High Flyers Club as a rental flight by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flights and no flight plans were filed. N3787U had departed from the Van Nuys, California, airport at 0740, and the flight was scheduled to terminate at the Calaveras airport. The pilot of N3787U stated that he radioed UNICOM approximately 5 miles from the airport to announce his intentions to land. He indicated that he called base, final approach and clear of runway, but did not receive a reply at any time. He taxied towards the transient tie down area, and noted that airplanes were on either side of the ramp area that he was entering. The pilot stated that on his left he noted a Cessna on floats that he was concerned about, and that is where he focused his attention as he taxied between the parked rows of airplanes. He reported that he heard a "saw like sound" from the right, and saw N11104 had pulled forward from the tie down tee. The pilot stated that as N11104 had started its taxi, the propeller severed the right wing of his airplane (N3787U). The pilot of N11104 reported that he started the engine and pulled out of the tie down area. He saw N3787U taxiing in from the north and discontinued forward movement of his airplane (N11104). He believed that there was enough room for N3787U to stop or avoid his airplane; however, N3787U continued to taxi. The pilot stated that the cut from the right wing was a "clean cut," which indicated that his airplane was not moving at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined both airplanes, the tie down area is small and the pilot of N3787U's view was partially obstructed by airplanes in the tie down area. She further reported that cut area of N3787U was clean and nearly perpendicular to the leading edge. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3787U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3787U), registered now, S/N 18255187, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255187 - Airframe hours: 3550 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas C. Potter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1998 - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Destination: 0O3 - Airport: 0O3, Calaveras County ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N11104](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11104), registered now, S/N 15075200, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15075200 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cecil Buckley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 0O3 - Airport: 0O3, Calaveras County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3787U; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,758 total, 283 in this make and model, 1,558 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N11104; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,061 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 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 19981226034471A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981226034471A), Dec 26, 1998: Cessna 182G, San Andreas, CA, Substantial damage. Acft N3787U taxied into N21104. (.4)the pilot of N3787U stated that he had radioed that he was clear of the runway and was taxiing to transient parking, and… 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.