# NTSB WPR22LA042: Phoenix Air U-15 Phoenix, N44DY, Carlsbad, CA, November 18, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 17, 2021, 16:00 local (Nov 18, 2021, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.128373, -117.27858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1284&lon=-117.2786&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104275/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104275
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA042

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain distance with an airport sign while taxiing.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Phoenix Air Sro U-15 PHOENIX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0600079), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Phoenix Air Sro U-15 PHOENIX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=0600079), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Phoenix Air Sro U-15 PHOENIX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0600079), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot in the tailwheel equipped glider reported that, after landing, he taxied off the runway onto a ramp area. A business jet was being towed by a tug on the taxiway he normally used to get to his hangar. The ground controller issued the pilot instructions to pass by the jet and turn right. The tail-low configuration of the glider made the pilot’s visibility limited while taxiing. During the turn, the glider’s right wing collided with an airport sign, substantially damaging the composite structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44DY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44DY), registered now, S/N 02/U15, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PHOENIX AIR U-15 PHOENIX
- Registry model: [Phoenix Air Sro U-15 PHOENIX](https://openairdocs.org/model/phoenix-air-sro-u-15-phoenix) (registry code 0600079) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 02
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 1207
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2021
- Departed: F70, Murietta, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CRQ, Mc Clellan-Palomar, runway 24, 4,897 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; last flight review October 19, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,202 total, 942 in this make and model, 4,202 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KCRQ

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104275. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13384018&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13695909&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-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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