NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On April 5, 2003, about 1045 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 36-375, N3859E, collided with a Grumman American AA-5B, N28821, while both airplanes were attempting to land at Bottimore Ranch Airport (65CN) near Herald, California. San Joaquin Air was operating the Piper under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The owner/solo student pilot was operating the Grumman under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant of the Piper, and the student pilot, the sole occupant of the Grumman were not injured. The Piper sustained minor damage; the Grumman sustained substantial damage. The Piper departed on a local aerial application flight at about 1015 from 65CN,. The Grumman was a local instructional flight that departed Kingdon Airpark (O20) Lodi, California, about 1015 en route to 65CN,. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; neither pilot had filed a flight plan. The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 18 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 15 minutes west longitude.

The pilot of the Piper said that while he was attempting to land at 65CN, he collided with the Grumman, which had just touched down on the same runway. When the pilot of the Piper heard the collision, he noticed the wings of the Grumman below his airplane. He then executed a go around. Because the Grumman was on the runway at 65CN, the Piper elected to fly to Franklin Field Airport (Q53), Franklin, California. The pilot of the Piper then returned to 65CN via automobile.

The pilot of the Grumman said that while he was landing at 65CN, just after the main landing gear had touched down, "the aircraft went all over the place." He said that he did not know that he had been hit by another airplane until he saw the Piper flying away from him.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Piper Pilot

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the Piper pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine land ratings.

The pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on September 11, 2002. It had the limitations that the pilot must wear corrective lenses.

The pilot reported his estimated total flight time of 20,000 hours. He logged 150 hours in the last 90 days, and 70 in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 4,800 hours in this make and model.

Grumman Pilot

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a student pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating.

The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on March 4, 2003. It had no limitations or waivers.

The pilot reported a total flight time of 79.2 hours. He logged 7.3 hours in the last 90 days, and 3.8 in the last 30 days. He had 35.8 hours in this make and model.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Piper

The airplane was a Piper PA-36-375, serial number 36-7802028. The airplane operator reported a total airframe time of 7,934 hours at the last manufacturers inspection program (MIP). The last inspection under a continuous airworthiness program (CAP) occurred on March 7, 2003.

The engine was a Lycoming IO-720-DICD engine, serial number L-1009-54A. Total time on the engine at the last inspection was 5,380 hours.

Grumman

The airplane was a Grumman AA-5B, serial number 0840. The pilot/owner of the airplane reported the total airframe time of 1,862 hours at the last annual inspection. An annual inspection was completed on April 15, 2002. At the time of the accident the aircraft had a total time of 1,896.3 hours.

The engine was a Lycoming O-360 4AK engine, serial number L24989-36A. Total time on the engine at the last annual inspection was 1,862 hours.

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The closest official weather observation station was Sacramento Executive Airport Sacramento, California (SAC), which was located 20 nautical miles (nm) northeast of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 38 feet msl. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for SAC was issued at 1053 PST. It stated: skies clear; visibility 10 miles; winds from 320 degrees at 7 knots; temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.17 InHg.

COMMUNICATIONS

There was no Unicom installed or in use at 65CN. Both pilots reported that they were not transmitting on any aircraft radio frequencies prior to the accident.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Airport/ Facility Directory, Southwest U. S. did not list 65CN. AirNav.com listed 65CN with the runway-oriented east/west, and was 2,900 feet long and 25 feet wide. The runway surface was composed of treated dirt.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The pilot of the Piper reported only minor damage to his airplane's propeller. The pilot of the Grumman described the damage to his airplane; the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, upper fuselage, right wing, and the right main landing gear were destroyed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft by both pilots that resulted in a midair collision.