# NTSB WPR10CA079: Curtiss Wright Travel AIR 4000, N8700, Torrance, CA, November 29, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 29, 2009, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.803333, -118.339447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8033&lon=-118.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75157/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75157
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA079

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The Travel Air pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The Travel Air pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Sutherland Ron LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=056169H), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Sutherland Ron LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056169H), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The Travel Air pilot was taxiing down the 58-foot-wide asphalt lane that stretched between rows of hangar buildings toward a taxiway. Prior to beginning the taxi the pilot had visually checked the lane and had not observed any other aircraft in the lane between his position and the taxiway. The Travel Air is a tailwheel-type configuration, and the pilot was making continuous S-turns to look for obstructions ahead of his position. As he reached the end of the buildings, his propeller collided with the empennage of a stationary Lancair that had been pulled out of the end hangar. The pilot of the Lancair had started his engine and was contacting the Air Traffic Control Tower for a clearance onto the taxiway when the collision occurred. The point of the collision is in a non-movement ramp area not subject to air traffic control separation.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The Travel Air pilot was taxiing down the 58-foot-wide asphalt lane that stretched between rows of hangar buildings toward a taxiway. Prior to beginning the taxi the pilot had visually checked the lane and had not observed any other aircraft in the lane between his position and the taxiway. The Travel Air is a tailwheel-type configuration, and the pilot was making continuous S-turns to look for obstructions ahead of his position. As he reached the end of the buildings, his propeller collided with the empennage of a stationary Lancair that had been pulled out of the end hangar. The pilot of the Lancair had started his engine and was contacting the Air Traffic Control Tower for a clearance onto the taxiway when the collision occurred. The point of the collision is in a non-movement ramp area not subject to air traffic control separation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On November 29, 2009, about 1345, a Travel Air 4000, N8700, taxied into a Lancair 235, N880RS, at the Zamperini Field Airport, Torrance, California. The pilots were operating their respective airplanes under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In the Travel Air, the private pilot was not injured; in the Lancair, the airline transport pilot was not injured. The Lancair sustained substantial damage and the Travel Air was not damaged. The Travel Air pilot was repositioning from his hangar to the fueling area; he had no intention of flight. The Lancair pilot was about to taxi to the active runway for the purpose of conducting a personal local-area flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither pilot had filed a flight plan. In a written statement, the Travel Air pilot reported that he had taken his airplane out of the hangar and started the engine, noting that no other aircraft appeared to be in the area. He proceeded to taxi down the asphalt area that stretched between the hangar rows (58 feet wide), as he did as part of his normal procedure. With the airplane being a tail-wheel type configuration, he was making continuous S-turns to ensure visibly ahead of his position. As he reached the end of the building, he noted that white particles where emanating from the propeller. He shut down the engine and egressed the airplane to discover that his propeller contacted the rudder of the Lancair. The pilot of the Lancair stated that just prior to calling for a taxi clearance the Travel Air collided into the empennage, damaging the rudder, vertical fin, elevators, and horizontal stabilizer. He noted that he was positioned outside of his hangar and stationary.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On November 29, 2009, about 1345, a Travel Air 4000, N8700, taxied into a Lancair 235, N880RS, at the Zamperini Field Airport, Torrance, California. The pilots were operating their respective airplanes under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In the Travel Air, the private pilot was not injured; in the Lancair, the airline transport pilot was not injured. The Lancair sustained substantial damage and the Travel Air was not damaged. The Travel Air pilot was repositioning from his hangar to the fueling area; he had no intention of flight. The Lancair pilot was about to taxi to the active runway for the purpose of conducting a personal local-area flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither pilot had filed a flight plan. In a written statement, the Travel Air pilot reported that he had taken his airplane out of the hangar and started the engine, noting that no other aircraft appeared to be in the area. He proceeded to taxi down the asphalt area that stretched between the hangar rows (58 feet wide), as he did as part of his normal procedure. With the airplane being a tailwheel type configuration, he was making continuous S-turns to ensure visibly ahead of his position. As he reached the end of the building, he noted that white particles where emanating from the propeller. He shut down the engine and egressed the airplane to discover that his propeller contacted the rudder of the Lancair. The pilot of the Lancair stated that just prior to calling for a taxi clearance the Travel Air collided into the empennage, damaging the rudder, vertical fin, elevators, and horizontal stabilizer. He noted that he was positioned outside of his hangar and stationary.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N8700](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8700), registered now, S/N 976, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURTISS WRIGHT TRAVEL AIR 4000
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 976
- Engines: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Smith Richard Charles
- Registered owner: Smith Richard Charles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA
- Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA
- Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field Airport

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N880RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N880RS-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N 88, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SUTHERLAND RON LANCAIR 235
- Registry model: [Sutherland Ron LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/sutherland-ron-lancair-235) (registry code 056169H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 88
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA
- Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N8700; age 76; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N880RS; age 51; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,400 total, 530 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20091129022169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091129022169A), Nov 29, 2009: Curtis TRVAIR4000, Torrance, CA, Minor damage. The pilot of the travelair, N8700, stated he was taxiing from his hangar, 2781-B, at the east t-hangars to refuel his aircraft with no intention to fly. He was…
- [Accident 20091129022459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091129022459A), Nov 29, 2009: Amtr LANCAIR235, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot of travelair, N8700, taxied into the accident aircraft. N8700 was taxiing to reposition for fuel from hangar 2781-B. The pilot of N88700 stated he…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75157. 857 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1, N8700 (item 1, .PDF, 554 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1,%20N8700-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1, N880RS (item 2, .PDF, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1,%20N880RS-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.

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