Beech D175 and amateur-built SA300 accident near El Cajon, California, September 30, 1989
On September 30, 1989 at about 11:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Beech D175 (N9465H) and amateur-built SA300 (N711MH), were involved in the same accident near El Cajon, California (Gillespie Field). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF N9645H.
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT (N9645H).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 1989 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- El Cajon, California · Gillespie Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Beech D175
- Registration
- N9465H · no longer on the register · serial 6898
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built SA300
- Registration
- N711MH · no longer on the register · serial 251
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Beech D175 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF N9465H HAD JUST DEPLANED HIS PASSENGERS AND WAS TAXIING TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE EMPENNAGE OF N711MH, A HOMEBUILT STOLP-STARDUSTER SA300. N711MH WAS AT THE HOLD LINES OF RUNWAY 27R AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. BOTH AIRPLANES WERE CONFIGURED WITH CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR (TAILDRAGGER TYPES). THE PILOT OF N9465H REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT SEE N711MH BECAUSE HIS AIRPLANE WAS A TAILDRAGGER NOR DID HE REPORT THAT HE USED 'S' TURNING PROCEDURES WHILE TAXIING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built SA300 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF N9465H HAD JUST DEPLANED HIS PASSENGERS AND WAS TAXIING TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE EMPENNAGE OF N711MH, A HOMEBUILT STOLP-STARDUSTER SA300. N711MH WAS AT THE HOLD LINES OF RUNWAY 27R AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. BOTH AIRPLANES WERE CONFIGURED WITH CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR (TAILDRAGGER TYPES). THE PILOT OF N9465H REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT SEE N711MH BECAUSE HIS AIRPLANE WAS A TAILDRAGGER NOR DID HE REPORT THAT HE USED 'S' TURNING PROCEDURES WHILE TAXIING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Beech D175 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,600 hours in all; 143 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 832 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 4, 1989; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-985-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27R, 5,341 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from SEE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built SA300 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,480 hours in all; 1,730 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 16, 1989; 50 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27R, 5,341 ft by 100 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N9465H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.