# NTSB WPR09CA093: Stemme S-10, N8679, San Jose, CA, December 30, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2008, 13:06 local (21:06 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.332778, -121.819725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3328&lon=-121.8197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA093

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during taxi.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the motor glider reported that he taxied to a transient parking area with the wings in a folded position. After parking and unfolding the wings, he began to taxi the glider to the active runway. He reported taxiing to the right of the centerline in order to avoid making contact with the hangars to the left. The pilot then looked ahead and observed three airplanes in the run-up area, and shortly thereafter the glider's left wing tip made contact with a hangar. The glider then spun to the left and collided with the hangar. The left wing sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the motor glider reported that he taxied to a transient parking area with the wings in a folded position. After parking and unfolding the wings, he began to taxi the glider to the active runway. He reported taxiing to the right of the center line in order to avoid making contact with the hangars to the left. The pilot then looked ahead and observed three airplanes in the run-up area, and shortly thereafter, the glider's left wing tip made contact with a hangar. The glider then spun to the left and collided with the hangar. The left wing sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8679](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8679-2015-05-26), registration cancelled 2015-05-26, S/N 10-39 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEMME GMBH & CO S-10
- Registry model: [Stemme S-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/stemme-s-10) (registry code 1130868) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 10-39
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: Limbach 2400 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 2008
- Departed: RHV, San Jose, CA
- Destination: RHV, San Jose, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview Airport, runway 31R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 9, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 18 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: HRV

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.

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