# NTSB WPR10CA382: Boeing PT-13B, N46590, Santa Rosa, CA, July 31, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2010, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.505279, -122.807777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5053&lon=-122.8078&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); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA382
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76843/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76843
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA382

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The failure of the pilot of another airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing.

## 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: [Boeing PT-13B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1380112), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing PT-13B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=1380112), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072418), [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: [Boeing PT-13B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1380112), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel-type configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right, he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that he was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing, resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel-type configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right, he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that he was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing, resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel typed configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that it was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel typed configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that it was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N46590](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46590), registered now, S/N 75-297 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING PT-13B
- Registry model: [Boeing PT-13B](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-pt-13b) (registry code 1380112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-297
- Airframe hours: 5476
- Engines: LYCOMING R680 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2010, 5 hours before
- Departed: KSTS, Santa Rosa, CA
- Destination: KSTS, Santa Rosa, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KSTS, Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County, runway 14, 5,119 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N20230](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20230), registered now, S/N 17261115, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261115
- Airframe hours: 9654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North Coast Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Cessna 20230 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 2010, 87 hours before
- Departed: KSTS, Santa Rosa, CA
- Destination: KSTS, Santa Rosa, CA
- Airport: KSTS, Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County, runway 14, 5,119 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N46590; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command
- Student pilot, aircraft N20230; age 59; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 262 total, 260 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KSTS

## 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 20100731053502A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100731053502A), Jul 31, 2010: Boeing PT-13B, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. Operator reports having pressure washed the engine in preparation of repainting. During engine run-up the operator noticed an unacceptable RPM drop of 300 on…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76843. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator B (item 1, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Pilot%2FOperator%20B-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot/Operator A (item 2, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20A-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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