Piper PA-28R-201 and Beech 95-B55 mid-air collision near Hollister, California, May 17, 1998
On May 17, 1998 at about 2:00 am local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA-28R-201 (N36574) and Beech 95-B55 (N4421W), were involved in a mid-air collision near Hollister, California (Hollister Muni airport). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the instructors and dual students in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in their combined failures to see and avoid each other. Inadequate supervision of the two flights by the respective instructor pilots were factors in the accident.
The failure of the instructors and dual students in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in their combined failures to see and avoid each other. Inadequate supervision of the two flights by the respective instructor pilots were factors in the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1998 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Hollister, California · Hollister Muni · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA-28R-201 · all PA-28R-201s on the register
- Registration
- N36574 · registry record · serial 28R-7837284
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Beech 95-B55 · all 95-B55s on the register
- Registration
- N4421W · registry record · serial TC-1144
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-28R-201 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Beech 95, N4421W, was turning on the crosswind leg while the Piper PA-28R, N36574 was on the 45 degree angle entering the traffic pattern. The pilots in the Beech stated that prior to takeoff they had heard the Piper radio that they were flying over the airport and would re-enter the pattern on a left 45-degree entry to the active runway. The instructor of the Beech stated that he visually verified the other airplane crossing over the runway. After takeoff the pilot of the Beech airplane requested a position report from the Piper. The Piper pilot stated that they were on the 45 for the downwind. The Beech pilot radioed intentions to turn to the crosswind, but had not located the other airplane. Both instructors saw each other at the same time. The instructor for the Beech took the controls, while the student in the Piper retained control of the aircraft as both initiated evasive actions to maneuver away from each other. The left wing tips of both aircraft collided with each other. Both aircraft landed without further incident at the accident airport.
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 Beech 95-B55 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Beech 95, N4421W, was turning on the crosswind leg while the Piper PA-28R, N36574 was on the 45 degree angle entering the traffic pattern. The pilots in the Beech stated that prior to takeoff they had heard the Piper radio that they were flying over the airport and would re-enter the pattern on a left 45-degree entry to the active runway. The instructor of the Beech stated that he visually verified the other airplane crossing over the runway. After takeoff the pilot of the Beech airplane requested a position report from the Piper. The Piper pilot stated that they were on the 45 for the downwind. The Beech pilot radioed intentions to turn to the crosswind, but had not located the other airplane. Both instructors saw each other at the same time. The instructor for the Beech took the controls, while the student in the Piper retained control of the aircraft as both initiated evasive actions to maneuver away from each other. The left wing tips of both aircraft collided with each other. Both aircraft landed without further incident at the accident airport.
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 Piper PA-28R-201 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 363 hours in all; 36 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 298 as pilot in command; 77 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,626 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 15, 1998; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RHV San Jose CA at 1:25 am
- Destination: 3O7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,150 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:48 am from SNS, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Beech 95-B55 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 967 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 72 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 896 as pilot in command; 545 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,632 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 23, 1998; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3O7 at 1:00 am
- Destination: RHV San Jose CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,150 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
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.