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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 21, 1999 · Beech A36 · N8178N

Willows, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Willows, CA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N8178N
Operator
Jal Flight Crew Trng Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA195

The student pilot reported that while he was on final approach, he heard a pilot announce over the UNICOM frequency that he was entering the left downwind leg for the same runway. Another pilot stated that he was making a straight-in approach for an intersecting runway. The pilot reported that he had planned to taxi the full length of the runway then turn right to the transient parking, but he changed his mind when he heard the approaching aircraft. He stated that after turning left onto a midfield taxiway, he saw a parked trailer off to his right side. He remained on the taxiway centerline watching for the landing traffic, and reported that he was not able to pay attention to his right wing tip. The aircraft swerved to the right and the right wing impacted the tandem semitrailer. The aircraft spun around and the nose became embedded between the two trailers. According to a representative from the flight school, the trailers were being used for seasonal agricultural operations and were not normally on the airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate clearance with a parked trailer while taxiing the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 1999, at 1450 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N8178N, collided with a parked semitrailer while taxiing at the Willows-Glenn County Airport, Willows, California. The airplane was operated by Japan Airlines Flight Crew Training Center, Napa, California, as an instructional flight and sustained substantial damage. The solo student pilot was not injured. The round trip cross-country flight had originated earlier that day at an unspecified time from the Napa airport, with scheduled stops at the Merced, California, airport, and the Willows airport. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed along the route of flight. The student pilot reported that while he was landing on runway 31, he heard a pilot announce over the UNICOM frequency that he was entering the left downwind leg for the same runway. Another pilot stated that he was making a straight-in approach for an intersecting runway. The pilot reported that he had planned to taxi the full length of the runway then turn right to the transient parking, but changed his mind when he heard the approaching aircraft. He stated that after turning left onto a midfield taxiway, he saw a parked trailer off to his right side. He remained on the taxiway centerline watching for the landing traffic, and reported that he was not able to pay attention to his right wing tip. The aircraft swerved to the right and the right wing impacted the tandem semitrailer. The aircraft spun around and the nose became embedded between the two trailers. According to a representative from the flight school, the trailers were being used for seasonal agricultural operations and were not normally on the airport.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 PDT
Nearest AirportWillows-Glenn (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length4210 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN8178N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJal Flight Crew Trng Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 16 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data