# NTSB WPR13CA031: Beech D17S, N4417S, Van Nuys, CA, November 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 3, 2012, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.205833, -118.48722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2058&lon=-118.4872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85508 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85508/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85508 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA031 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of another airplane did not maintain a proper visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision with another airplane. ## 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 - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2 ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Beech airplane was located in the run-up area, and the pilot was conducting a pre-takeoff run-up check when the pilot of a Cessna airplane taxied in front of the Beech and stopped at the runway hold short line. The pilot of the Beech was subsequently cleared by an air traffic controller to move up to and hold short of the hold short line. The pilot of the Beech applied power and taxied forward about 10 feet when he initiated a slight left turn; the airplane’s propeller impacted the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna. The Cessna’s horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged and the Beech airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot of the Beech reported that he never saw the Cessna prior to impact. Both pilots reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of a Beech airplane was located in the run-up area conducting a pre-takeoff run-up check when the pilot of a Cessna airplane taxied in front of the Beech and stopped at the runway hold short line. The pilot in the Beech was subsequently cleared by air traffic control to move up to and hold short of the hold short line. The pilot of the Beech applied power and taxied forward approximately 10 feet when he initiated a slight left turn and the airplane’s propeller impacted the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna. The Cessna’s horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged and the Beech airplane received minor damage. The pilot of the Beech reported that he never saw the Cessna prior to impact. Both pilots reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) The pilot of a Beech airplane was located in the run up area conducting a pre-takeoff run-up check when the pilot of a Cessna airplane taxied in front of the Beech and stopped at the runway hold short line. The pilot in the Beech was subsequently cleared by air traffic control to move up to and hold short of the hold short line. The pilot of the Beech applied power and taxied forward approximately 10 feet when he initiated a slight left turn and the airplane’s propeller impacted the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna. The Cessna’s horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged and the Beech airplane received minor damage. The pilot of the Beech reported that he never saw the Cessna prior to impact. Both pilots reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) The pilot of a Beech airplane was located in the run up area conducting a pre-takeoff run-up check when the pilot of a Cessna airplane taxied in front of the Beech and stopped at the runway hold short line. The pilot in the Beech was subsequently cleared by air traffic control to move up to and hold short of the hold short line. The pilot of the Beech applied power and taxied forward approximately 10 feet when he initiated a slight left turn and the airplane’s propeller impacted the left horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna. The Cessna’s horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged and the Beech airplane received minor damage. The pilot of the Beech reported that he never saw the Cessna prior to impact. Both pilots reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. . ## 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), aircraft 1 - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2 ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4417S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4417S), registered now, S/N 6918, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D17S - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6918 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Seymour Robin - Registered owner: Seymour Robin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2012 - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys Airport, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N545ER (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10529 - Airframe hours: 4143 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Registered owner: Avn Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 29, 2012, 26 hours before - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys Airport, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4417S; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 5,600 total, 325 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor, aircraft N545ER; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 525 total, 380 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N545ER; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 170 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 1 nm away ## 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 20121103026222A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121103026222A), Nov 3, 2012: Beech D17S, Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. On November 3, 2012, at 1420 PDT, a ground impact occurred in the run-up area of runway 16 right at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, CA. N4417S, a Beechcraft,… - [Accident 20121103026462A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121103026462A), Nov 3, 2012: Cessna 172S, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. On November 3, 2012, at 1420 PDT, a ground impact occurred in the run-up area of runway 16 right at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, CA. N4417S, a Beechcraft,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85508. 1.6 MB in all. - Airplane A: Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20A%3A%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Airplane B: Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20B%3A%20Pilot%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.