Thursday, January 25, 2018

Maule M-6-235 Super Rocket, N56548: Accident occurred January 24, 2018 at Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1), San Antonio, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N56548


Analysis 

According to the pilot, during taxi at night, he turned off his anti-collision lights because they were, "creating a disco effect." On the taxiway, and heading to his hangar, he noticed an automobile that was converging on the same taxiway. The pilot expected the automobile to turn off the taxiway. When the vehicle did not turn, the pilot increased the throttle and turned the lights on and off to get the drivers attention. However, the automobile and the airplane collided.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-side fuselage and the right-wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The ground vehicle driver's decision to drive on an active taxiway at night and failure to yield to taxiing aircraft, resulting in a collision with a taxiing aircraft.

Findings

Personnel issues
Incorrect action selection - Other/unknown (Cause)

Environmental issues
Dark - Effect on personnel
Ground vehicle - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Ground collision (Defining event)

Location: Boerne, TX
Accident Number: GAA18CA111
Date & Time: 01/24/2018, 1850 CST
Registration: N56548
Aircraft: MAULE M 6
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot, during taxi at night, he turned off his anti-collision lights because they were, "creating a disco effect."

On the taxiway, and heading to his hangar, he noticed an automobile that was converging on the same taxiway. The pilot expected the automobile to turn off the taxiway. When the vehicle did not turn, the pilot increased throttle and turned the lights on and off to get the drivers attention. However, the automobile and the airplane collided.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-side fuselage and the right-wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/16/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/16/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 577 hours (Total, all aircraft), 188 hours (Total, this make and model), 511 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MAULE
Registration: N56548
Model/Series: M 6 235
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1983
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7444C
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/03/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1206.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-W1A5D
Registered Owner: ALAS VIEJAS LLC
Rated Power: 235 hp
Operator: ALAS VIEJAS LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSAT, 789 ft msl
Observation Time: 0051 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 134°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -7°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.42 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dilley, TX (24R)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Dilley, TX (24R)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1812 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: BOERNE STAGE FIELD (5C1)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1383 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5006 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  29.723333, -98.694444 (est)

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