# NTSB WPR15LA154: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20 C1, N309EF, Van Nuys, CA, April 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 2015, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.206111, -118.489723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2061&lon=-118.4897&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-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91103/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91103 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA154 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Both pilots’ failure to see and avoid each other, which resulted in an on ground collision while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the ground controller’s failure to notify either pilot about the presence of the other airplane on the taxiway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Both pilots' failure to see and avoid each other, which resulted in an on-ground collision while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the ground controller's failure to notify either pilot about the presence of the other airplane on the taxiway. ## 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: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/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 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/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: [Cessna 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/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: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Cessna 150M and a Diamond DA20 collided on the ground during taxi operations. The student pilot of the Diamond received clearance from the ground controller to taxi to the run-up area for runway 16R via taxiway A1. The Diamond student reported that he stopped and looked in both directions before slowly proceeding left onto taxiway A (not A1 as instructed), at which point he observed the Cessna moving to his left around a jet on taxiway A and approaching his position. The Diamond student stopped to see what the Cessna pilot was going to do, and his airplane was then struck by the Cessna. The Cessna pilot reported that, while taxiing on taxiway A as he approached A1, he observed an airplane at his 10-o'clock position, which appeared to be entering his path. The Cessna pilot applied the brakes but was unable to avoid striking the Diamond. The Diamond sustained damage to both propeller blades, and the Cessna sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing. A review of airport surveillance video showed the Cessna taxiing on taxiway A and converging with the Diamond before the collision. The surveillance video and on-site documentation of the area did not reveal any obstructions that would have prevented the pilots from seeing and avoiding the other airplane before the collision. Review of radio transmissions revealed that both pilots received and acknowledged clearance instructions from ground control; however, neither pilot was given information about the other aircraft's position on the taxiway. Seventeen seconds before the collision occurred, the ground controller began issuing instructions to another aircraft pilot; this transmission continued as the collision occurred. It is likely that the ground controller's attention was diverted to issuing instructions to the other aircraft pilot, which led to his failure to notify the accident pilots about the presence of the other airplane on the taxiway. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Cessna 150M and a Diamond DA20 collided on the ground during taxi operations. The student pilot of the Diamond received clearance from the ground controller to taxi to the run-up area for runway 16R via taxiway A1. The Diamond student reported that he stopped and looked in both directions before slowly proceeding left onto taxiway A (not A1 as instructed), at which point he observed the Cessna moving to his left around a jet on taxiway A and approaching his position. The Diamond student stopped to see what the Cessna pilot was going to do, and his airplane was then struck by the Cessna. The Cessna pilot reported that, while taxiing on taxiway A as he approached A1, he observed an airplane at his 10-o'clock position, which appeared to be entering his path. The Cessna pilot applied the brakes but was unable to avoid striking the Diamond. The Diamond sustained damage to both propeller blades, and the Cessna sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing. A review of airport surveillance video showed the Cessna taxiing on taxiway A and converging with the Diamond before the collision. The surveillance video and on-site documentation of the area did not reveal any obstructions that would have prevented the pilots from seeing and avoiding the other airplane before the collision. Review of radio transmissions revealed that both pilots received and acknowledged clearance instructions from ground control; however, neither pilot was given information about the other aircraft's position on the taxiway. Seventeen seconds before the collision occurred, the ground controller began issuing instructions to another aircraft pilot; this transmission continued as the collision occurred. It is likely that the ground controller's attention was diverted to issuing instructions to the other aircraft pilot, which led to his failure to notify the accident pilots about the presence of the other airplane on the taxiway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On April 24, 2015, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N6211K, and a Diamond DA20, N309EF, sustained damage during a ground collision at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. The Cessna sustained substantial damage and the Diamond sustained minor damage. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger of the Cessna, and the student pilot of the Diamond were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either of the local flights, which were both conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot of the Cessna was cleared by ground control to taxi to runway 16 via taxiways A and C, and communication was maintained with the ground controller during the taxi. The Cessna pilot was instructed to stay to the right side of taxiway A for opposite direction traffic to which he complied. As the Cessna approached taxiway A1 the pilot noted the Diamond airplane at his 10 o'clock position entering his pathway. The Cessna pilot applied brakes; however, the two airplanes collided on taxiway A. The Cessna pilot reported that he was not advised by the ground controller of the Diamond entering taxiway A before the collision. The second pilot on board the Cessna acknowledged the clearance to taxi and stated that the airplane was taxied at an appropriate and safe speed. The second pilot did not witness the collision as he was looking out of the right window at the time. The student pilot of the Diamond received clearance from ground control to taxi to the run-up area for runway 16R via A1. The Diamond pilot reached the end of taxiway A1, stopped and noted that there was a jet to his right on taxiway A. The Diamond pilot stated that he observed both directions before slowly proceeding left onto taxiway A when he observed a Cessna on taxiway A moving around a jet and approaching. The Diamond pilot reported that he immediately stopped in order to see what the Cessna pilot was going to do when he was struck by the Cessna. The Diamond sustained damage to the propeller with about half of the length of each wooden propeller blade broken off. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing. Review of airport surveillance video at the time of the accident showed the accident Cessna taxing north bound on taxiway A and converging with the Diamond before the collision occurred. On site documentation did not reveal any obstructions in the area around where the collision occurred. Review of radio transmissions revealed that both pilots received and acknowledged clearance instructions from ground control; however, neither pilot was given information about one another's position on the airport. 17 seconds before the collision occurred, the ground controller began issuing instructions to another aircraft; this transmission continued as the collision occurred between the Cessna and the Diamond. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On April 24, 2015, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N6211K, and a Diamond DA20, N309EF, sustained damage during a ground collision at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. The Cessna sustained substantial damage and the Diamond sustained minor damage. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger of the Cessna, and the student pilot of the Diamond were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either of the local flights, which were both conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot of the Cessna was cleared by ground control to taxi to runway 16 via taxiways A and C, and communication was maintained with the ground controller during the taxi. The Cessna pilot was instructed to stay to the right side of taxiway A for opposite direction traffic to which he complied. As the Cessna approached taxiway A1 the pilot noted the Diamond airplane at his 10 o'clock position entering his pathway. The Cessna pilot applied brakes; however, the two airplanes collided on taxiway A. The Cessna pilot reported that he was not advised by the ground controller of the Diamond entering taxiway A before the collision. The second pilot on board the Cessna acknowledged the clearance to taxi and stated that the airplane was taxied at an appropriate and safe speed. The second pilot did not witness the collision as he was looking out of the right window at the time. The student pilot of the Diamond received clearance from ground control to taxi to the run-up area for runway 16R via A1. The Diamond pilot reached the end of taxiway A1, stopped and noted that there was a jet to his right on taxiway A. The Diamond pilot stated that he observed both directions before slowly proceeding left onto taxiway A when he observed a Cessna on taxiway A moving around a jet and approaching. The Diamond pilot reported that he immediately stopped in order to see what the Cessna pilot was going to do when he was struck by the Cessna. The Diamond sustained damage to the propeller with about half of the length of each wooden propeller blade broken off. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing. Review of airport surveillance video at the time of the accident showed the accident Cessna taxing north bound on taxiway A and converging with the Diamond before the collision occurred. On site documentation did not reveal any obstructions in the area around where the collision occurred. Review of radio transmissions revealed that both pilots received and acknowledged clearance instructions from ground control; however, neither pilot was given information about one another's position on the airport. 17 seconds before the collision occurred, the ground controller began issuing instructions to another aircraft; this transmission continued as the collision occurred between the Cessna and the Diamond. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N309EF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N309EF-2022-05-07), registration cancelled 2022-05-07, S/N C0262, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20 C1 (C1) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-c1) (registry code 2990001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C0262 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: Continental IO-240 reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Amval LLC - Registered owner: Amval LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys - Equipment: Unknown ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6211K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6211K), registered now, S/N 15077588, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077588 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 6552 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Continental Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Continental Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2015 - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: KCMA, Camarillo, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot, aircraft N309EF; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 44.4 total, 34.9 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N6211K; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 361 total, 60 in this make and model, 308 as pilot in command - Flight instructor, aircraft N6211K; age 47; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,842 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,783 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.12 inHg - Observed at: VNY ## 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 20150424006532A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150424006532A), Apr 24, 2015: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1, Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. The C-150, N6211K, piloted by private pilot, [privacy data omitted], was taxiing north on "a" to the runup area prior to departure. The DA20, N309EF, piloted… - [Accident 20150424006522A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150424006522A), Apr 24, 2015: Cessna 150M, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. The C-150, N6211K, piloted by private pilot, [privacy data omitted], was taxiing north on "a" to the runup area, prior to departure. The DA20, N309EF, piloted… ## Other investigations on N309EF (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA18CA474](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA474), Jul 18, 2018: Diamond DA20 (N309EF), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91103. 10.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N309EF) (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N309EF)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N6211K) (item 2, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N6211K)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (N309EF) (item 3, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20(N309EF)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement Kluck (N6211K) (item 4, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20Kluck%20(N6211K)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement Rodrigo (6211K) (item 5, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20Rodrigo%20(6211K)-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 6, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Van Nuys Airport Operations Report (item 8, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Van%20Nuys%20Airport%20Operations%20Report-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 9, .PDF, 2 photos, 764 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - KVNY Tower Recording (item 10, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KVNY%20Tower%20Recording-Master.PDF - Airport Surveillance Video (item 11, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Surveillance%20Video-Master.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.