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NTSB Report
March 16, 1985 · Piper PA-44-180 · N2138G
San Jose, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 16, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (158 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-44-180
Tail Number
N2138G
Operator
Bud Walen Aviation
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX85IA175
A PIPER SEMINULE WAS VECTORED TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE & CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH AT 3000FT MSL. A DC-9, IN TRAIL AT 5000 FT MSL, WAS OVERTAKING THE SEMINULE. THE CONTROLLER ELECTED TO CHANGE THEIR SEQUENCE & CLEARED THE SEMINULE TO CLIMB TO 4000FT MSL DUE TO RISING TERRAIN & MAKE A RIGHT 360. THE DC-9 WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED AN APPROACH CLEARANCE & DESCENT FROM 5000FT, WHICH COMPROMISED SEPA4RATION REQUIREMENTS. THE CONFLICT ALERT WAS MISSED, IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS IDENTICAL WITH THE TERRAIN PROXIMITY ALERT, WHICH SOUNDED FREQUENTLY.
Full Narrative
A PIPER SEMINULE WAS VECTORED TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE & CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH AT 3000FT MSL. A DC-9, IN TRAIL AT 5000 FT MSL, WAS OVERTAKING THE SEMINULE. THE CONTROLLER ELECTED TO CHANGE THEIR SEQUENCE & CLEARED THE SEMINULE TO CLIMB TO 4000FT MSL DUE TO RISING TERRAIN & MAKE A RIGHT 360. THE DC-9 WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED AN APPROACH CLEARANCE & DESCENT FROM 5000FT, WHICH COMPROMISED SEPA4RATION REQUIREMENTS. THE CONFLICT ALERT WAS MISSED, IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS IDENTICAL WITH THE TERRAIN PROXIMITY ALERT, WHICH SOUNDED FREQUENTLY.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:13 PST
Nearest AirportSan Jose Intl (6nm NNE)
Runway30
Runway Length4419 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-44-180
Tail NumberN2138G
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorBud Walen Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-EIAD · Reciprocating · 180 | P&W · JT8D-9 · Turbofan · 14500
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (158 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured158
Total158
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 42 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC