# NTSB WPR22FA309: Cessna 152, N49931, Watsonville, CA, August 18, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report
- Date: August 18, 2022, 14:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.93648, -121.78904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9365&lon=-121.7890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Textron Aviation Int., Airport Director Watsonville, Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22FA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105763/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105763
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA309

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2076405), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Approach: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the single-engine airplane was operating in the airport traffic pattern and had been making position reports on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The pilot of the multi-engine airplane made an initial radio call on the CTAF 10 miles from the airport, announcing his intention to perform a straight-in approach for landing. Both pilots continued to make appropriate position reports, but did not communicate with each other until the multi-engine airplane was about one mile from the airport and the single-engine airplane had turned onto the base leg of the traffic pattern for landing. Realizing that the multi-engine airplane was converging upon him, the pilot of the single-engine airplane announced a go-around, and the airplanes collided on final approach for the runway about 150 ft above ground level (agl). Examination of the airplanes revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The multi-engine airplane’s wing flaps and landing gear were both retracted at the accident site, consistent with the pilot’s failure to configure the airplane for landing, and flight track information indicated that the pilot maintained a ground speed of about 180 knots throughout the approach until the collision occurred, which may have reduced the time available for him to see and avoid the single-engine airplane. The toxicology report for the pilot of the single-engine airplane revealed THC, metabolites for THC, metabolites for cocaine, and ketamine; the low amounts of each drug were not considered causal to the accident. The toxicology report for the multi-engine airplane pilot revealed THC, and metabolites of THC; the low amounts of each drug were not considered causal to the accident.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The Aeronautical Information Manual stated in part, 4-3-3 Traffic Patterns. NOTE- Pilots are encouraged to use the standard traffic pattern. However, those pilots who choose to execute a straight-in approach, maneuvering for and execution of the approach should not disrupt the flow of arriving and departing traffic. Likewise, pilots operating in the traffic pattern should be alert at all times for aircraft executing straight-in approaches. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-66B, “Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations,” stated in part, The FAA does not regulate traffic pattern entry, only traffic pattern flow. Traffic pattern entry information is advisory… Collision avoidance. The pilot in command’s (PIC) primary responsibility is to see and avoid other aircraft and the help then see and avoid his or her aircraft.” “The FAA encourages pilots to use the standard traffic pattern when arriving or departing a non-towered airport or a part-time-towered airport when the control tower is not operating, particularly when other traffic is observed or when operating from an unfamiliar airport. However, there may are occasions where a pilot can choose to execute a straight-in approach for landing when not intending to enter the traffic pattern, such as a visual approach executed as part of the termination of an instrument approach. Pilots should clearly communicate on the CTAF and coordinate maneuvering for and execution of the landing with other traffic so as not to disrupt the flow of other aircraft. Therefore, pilots operating in the traffic pattern should be alert at all times to aircraft executing straight-in landings, particularly when flying base leg prior to turning final. The FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge stated in part, In either case, it is vital to announce your intentions, and remember to scan outside. Before joining the downwind leg, adjust your course or speed to blend into the traffic. Adjust power on the downwind leg, or sooner, to fit into the flow of traffic. Avoid flying too fast or too slow. Speeds recommended by the airplane manufacturer should be used. They will generally fall between 70 to 80 knots for fixed-gear singles and 80 to 90 knots for high-performance retractable. On August 18, 2022, about 1455 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N49931, and a Cessna 340, N740WJ, were destroyed when they were involved in a midair collision near Watsonville, California. The pilot of N49931 and the pilot and passenger of N740WJ were fatally injured. Both airplanes were operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. The pilot of the Cessna 152 was performing takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI). The WVI CTAF was recorded, and review of the recordings revealed that the pilot had been making position reports for most of the traffic pattern legs during his previous four traffic patterns. The Cessna 340 pilot made his initial position report ten miles east ofthe airport at 4,500 ft feet mean sea level (msl), and reported that he would be descending for a straight-in approach to runway 20. Less than one minute later, the Cessna 152 pilot reported that he was crosswind for runway 20, and less than a minute after that call, he reported downwind for runway 20. The Cessna 340 pilot then reported that he was three miles from runway 20 on a straight-in approach. The Cessna 152 pilot then reported that he was turning left base for runway 20. About 19 seconds later, the Cessna 340 pilot reported that he was one mile from the airport and that he was looking for the traffic on left base. The Cessna 152 pilot stated that he did see the Cessna 340 and that the Cessna 340 was behind him. About 13 seconds later, the Cessna 152 pilot stated that he was, “going around, because you are coming at me pretty quick man.” Recorded automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the Cessna 340 departed Turlock Airport (O15), Turlock, California, and proceeded west toward runway 20 at WVI. The Cessna 340 maintained about 180 knots ground speed until the collision. The data showed that the airplanes’ flight paths intersected about 1455:13, at an altitude about 225 to 300 ft msl, or about 150 ft agl, as seen in Figure 1. Figure 1. View of the two airplanes’ ADS-B flight track data. A witness stated that he was flying over WVI at 1,300 ft msl when he heard the two pilots on the CTAF and realized that they were getting close to each other. He focused his attention on the final approach for runway 20 and observed the Cessna 340 moving much quicker than usual for landing. He saw the Cessna 152 turn final and heard the pilot call a go around. He then saw the Cessna 340 try to turn right and its wing hit the wing of the Cessna 152. He subsequently saw both airplanes descend to the ground. A witness on the ground at WVI captured an image of the two airplanes before the collision, as seen in Figure 2. Figure 2. Image captured before the collision. Information provided by the FAA indicated that the pilot of the Cessna 340 received visual flight rules flight following services from O15 to WVI. When services were terminated, the pilot was advised to use caution due to other aircraft in the traffic pattern at WVI. The pilot of the Cessna 152 was not in communication with air traffic control. Cessna 152 Pilot Toxicology testing performed for the county coroner on the pilot’s chest cavity blood detected the primary major psychoactive compound of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), at 1.1 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and THC’s inactive metabolite, carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), at 8.4 ng/mL. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected THC in the pilot’s cavity blood at 1.1 ng/mL, THC-COOH in his cavity blood at 10.6 ng/mL, and THC-COOH in his urine at 139.7 ng/mL. Benzoylecgonine, an inactive cocainemetabolite, was detected in his cavity blood and in his urine at 438 ng/mL. Ecgonine methyl ester, a minor inactive metabolite of cocaine, was detected in the pilot’s urine. The anesthetic ketamine was detected in his cavity blood and in his urine at 34 ng/mL. The active metabolite of ketamine, norketamine, was detected in his cavity blood at 25 ng/mL and in his urine at 208 ng/mL. The non-sedating pain and fever reducing over-the-counter medication salicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin, was detected in the pilot’s cavity blood and urine. Cessna 340 Pilot Toxicology testing performed for the county coroner was negative for ethanol and tested-for drugs in the pilot’s abdominal blood. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected THC in the pilot’s cavity blood at 0.8 ng/mL. THC’s short-lived psychoactive metabolite, 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC (11-OH-THC) was detected in his urine at 5.9 ng/mL, but not in his blood. THC-COOH was detected in his cavity blood at 1 ng/mL and in his urine at 36.3 ng/mL. The high blood pressure medication atenolol and the enlarged prostate treatment medication tamsulosin were detected in his cavity blood and urine. Desloratadine, the metabolite of the non-impairing antihistamine loratadine, was detected in his cavity blood but inconclusive in his urine. Atenolol, tamsulosin, and desloratadine are generally considered non-impairing. The Cessna 152 came to rest on the airport property about 1,200 ft northeast of the approach end of runway 20. The left wing, from about the strut outboard, separated from the airplane and came to rest about 500 ft northeast of the main wreckage. The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator separated and came to rest about 380 ft northeast of the main wreckage. Two small sections of the Cessna 340’s left tip tank were located near the Cessna 152 wreckage. The Cessna 340 came to rest in a hangar storage room located on the southeast side of the airport. All major components of the Cessna 340 were located at the site. A postimpact fire ensued outside of the hangar. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flap handle was in the up position, and that the landing gear were retracted.

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N49931](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49931), registered now, S/N 15281402, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281402
- Year built: 1978
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: United Flight Services
- Registered owner: Monterey Bay Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville Muni, runway 20, 4,501 × 149 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Aircraft 3

- Registration: [N740WJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N740WJ), registered now, S/N 340A0740, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520-NB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-nb) (registry code 17265, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0740
- Year built: 1979
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alm Holding LLC
- Registered owner: Alm Holding LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: O15, Turlock, CA
- Destination: WVI, Watsonville, CA
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N49931; age 32; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review August 14, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 111 total, 77 in this make and model, 47.4 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N740WJ; age 75; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total, 744.9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KWVI
- METAR: KWVI 182153Z AUTO 21009KT 10SM CLR 21/13 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP144 T02110133

## Docket (23 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105763. 150 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 N49931 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15389520&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%208.18.22_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 14 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394479&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20All%20WPR22FA309%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Interviews (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394941&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interviews%20all%20WPR22FA309-Rel.pdf
- Video file 1 (item 4, MP4, 47.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15395118&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%201-Rel.mp4
- Video file 2 (item 5, ASF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15395304&FileExtension=asf&FileName=Video%202-Rel.asf
- Video file 3 (item 6, MP4, 9.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394104&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%203-Rel.mp4
- Video file 4 (item 7, MP4, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394808&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%204-Rel.mp4
- Video file 5 (item 8, ASF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15395128&FileExtension=asf&FileName=Video%205-Rel.asf
- Recording of norcal approach (item 9, WAV, 51.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15395314&FileExtension=wav&FileName=Licke%20audio-Rel.wav
- Air traffic control CTAF at wvi (item 10, MP3, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394818&FileExtension=mp3&FileName=KWVI2-Aug-18-2022-2130Z-Rel.mp3
- ADS-B N740WJ (item 11, KMZ, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15395324&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=N740WJ%2020220818_A9F487_492834271_ADSB-Rel.kmz
- ADS-B excel spreadsheet N740WJ (item 12, CSV, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394114&FileExtension=csv&FileName=N740WJ%2020220818_A9F487_492834271_ADSB-Rel.csv
- ADS-B N49931 (item 13, KMZ, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394828&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=N49931%2020220818_A63462_492834028_ADSB-Rel.kmz
- ADS-B excel spreadsheet N49931 (item 14, CSV, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15394951&FileExtension=csv&FileName=N49931%2020220818_A63462_492834028_ADSB-Rel.csv
- Toxicology report 340 pilot (item 15, PDF, 2 pages, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15421800&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20Report%20N740WJ_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Toxicology report 152 pilot (item 16, PDF, 2 pages, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15422516&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20Report%20N49931_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA flight following for N740WJ (item 17, PDF, 1 page, 650 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15422844&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Flight%20Following-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 18, PDF, 20 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15422727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR22FA309-Rel.pdf
- Party member certificates (item 19, PDF, 2 pages, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15424105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Member%20Certificates%20WPR22FA309_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Airframe and engine examination report (item 20, PDF, 33 pages, 7.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15422758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Exam%20Report%20WPR22FA309-Rel.pdf
- Medical factual (item 21, PDF, 6 pages, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14967325&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22FA309_Watsonville_CA_Medical_Factual_FINAL_011923-Rel.pdf
- Memo for record autopsy (item 22, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15424379&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Autopsy-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 23, PDF, 2 pages, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15595877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20N49931%20%26%20N740WJ_Redacted-Rel.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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