# NTSB LAX99LA195: Beech A36, N8178N, Willows, CA, May 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1999, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Willows, CA - Coordinates: 39.500366, -122.280769 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5004&lon=-122.2808&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 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA195 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate clearance with a parked trailer while taxiing the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - vehicle - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that while he was on final approach, he heard a pilot announce over the UNICOM frequency that he was entering the left downwind leg for the same runway. Another pilot stated that he was making a straight-in approach for an intersecting runway. The pilot reported that he had planned to taxi the full length of the runway then turn right to the transient parking, but he changed his mind when he heard the approaching aircraft. He stated that after turning left onto a midfield taxiway, he saw a parked trailer off to his right side. He remained on the taxiway centerline watching for the landing traffic, and reported that he was not able to pay attention to his right wing tip. The aircraft swerved to the right and the right wing impacted the tandem semitrailer. The aircraft spun around and the nose became embedded between the two trailers. According to a representative from the flight school, the trailers were being used for seasonal agricultural operations and were not normally on the airport. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1999, at 1450 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N8178N, collided with a parked semitrailer while taxiing at the Willows-Glenn County Airport, Willows, California. The airplane was operated by Japan Airlines Flight Crew Training Center, Napa, California, as an instructional flight and sustained substantial damage. The solo student pilot was not injured. The round trip cross-country flight had originated earlier that day at an unspecified time from the Napa airport, with scheduled stops at the Merced, California, airport, and the Willows airport. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed along the route of flight. The student pilot reported that while he was landing on runway 31, he heard a pilot announce over the UNICOM frequency that he was entering the left downwind leg for the same runway. Another pilot stated that he was making a straight-in approach for an intersecting runway. The pilot reported that he had planned to taxi the full length of the runway then turn right to the transient parking, but changed his mind when he heard the approaching aircraft. He stated that after turning left onto a midfield taxiway, he saw a parked trailer off to his right side. He remained on the taxiway centerline watching for the landing traffic, and reported that he was not able to pay attention to his right wing tip. The aircraft swerved to the right and the right wing impacted the tandem semitrailer. The aircraft spun around and the nose became embedded between the two trailers. According to a representative from the flight school, the trailers were being used for seasonal agricultural operations and were not normally on the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8178N (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2605 - Airframe hours: 3625 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jal Flight Crew Trng Center - Registered owner: Jal Trading Americas Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 13, 1999, 24 hours before - Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA - Destination: WLW - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: WLW, Willows-Glenn, runway 31, 4,210 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 139 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RBL, 40 nm away ## 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 19990521047459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990521047459A), May 21, 1999: Beech A36, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) The student pilot reported that while he was on final approach, he heard a pilot announce over the UNICOM frequency that he was entering the left downwind… 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.