# NTSB WPR09CA416: Morgan James E Morgan RV6, N116JM, Everett, WA, August 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2009, 15:27 local (22:27 UTC) - Place: Everett, WA - Coordinates: 47.913333, -122.283332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9133&lon=-122.2833&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 October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA416 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74592/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74592 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA416 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from objects during taxi. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate marking of the taxiway and obstacles. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design: obstruction markings/lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025/cases.md?model=05613O5), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025/cases.md) - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=05613O5), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05613O5), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05613O5), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05613O5), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot started the airplane and began to taxi between two rows of hangars. As he approached the east-west taxiway at the end of the rows, he stopped to contact ground control and look at the windsock. After several minutes, ground control cleared him to taxi to runway 16L. He began to taxi toward the east-west taxiway, and was about to start making S-turns to look for obstacles. After traveling 40-60 feet, the propeller, right wing, and right landing gear contacted poles surrounding a fire hydrant. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that the airplane had conventional landing gear and he could not see the hydrant or surrounding poles over its nose. He also indicated that there was no taxi stripe from between the hangars to the east-west taxiway that would lead a pilot away from the poles. ## Factual narrative The pilot started the airplane and began his taxi between two rows of hangars. As he approached the east-west taxiway at the end of the rows, he stopped to contact ground control and look at the windsock. After several minutes, ground control cleared him to taxi to runway 16L. He began to taxi toward the east-west taxiway, and was about to start making S-turns to look for obstacles. After traveling 40-60 feet, the propeller, right wing, and right landing gear contacted poles surrounding a fire hydrant. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that the airplane had conventional landing gear, and he could not see the hydrant or surrounding poles over its nose. He also indicated that there was no taxi stripe from between the hangars to the east-west taxiway that would lead a pilot away from the poles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N116JM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N116JM), registered now, S/N RV20260, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MORGAN JAMES E MORGAN RV6 - Registry model: [Morgan James E MORGAN RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/morgan-james-e-morgan-rv6) (registry code 05613O5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RV20260 - Airframe hours: 9 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A12A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Morgan James E - Registered owner: Morgan James E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 27, 2009, 9 hours before - Departed: PAE, Everett, WA - Destination: PAE, Everett, WA - Airport: PAE, Paine Field, runway 16L, 3,000 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 54 in this make and model, 2,360 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KPAE ## 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 20090821014379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090821014379A), Aug 21, 2009: Amtr RV6, Everett, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 21, 2009 at approximately 1627, [privacy data omitted] a commercial pilot with private privileges in a airplane struck the right wing leading… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74592. 626 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.