Boeing PT-13B and Cessna 172M accident near Santa Rosa, California, July 31, 2010
On July 31, 2010 at about 11:50 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Boeing PT-13B (N46590) and Cessna 172M (N20230), were involved in the same accident near Santa Rosa, California (Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County airport). No one was hurt; 2 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 pilot to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing.
The failure of the pilot of another airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2010 · about 11:50 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Rosa, California · Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Boeing PT-13B · all PT-13Bs on the register
- Registration
- N46590 · registry record · serial 75-297
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N20230 · registry record · serial 17261115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing PT-13B final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel-type configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right, he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that he was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing, resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.
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 Cessna 172M final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Boeing PT-13B Stearman reported that after conducting maintenance on his airplane, he taxied to the run-up area to conduct an engine run-up. With the airplane being a tailwheel-type configuration, he made continuous S-turns to ensure visibility ahead of his position. While approaching the run-up area, during a turn to the right, he observed an airplane on the runway. He reported that he was “clear” in front of the airplane and he continued his S-turn to the left. During the turn, the Stearman collided with a Cessna 172M. The pilot of the Stearman stated that he did not see the Cessna prior to that final turn when he saw its empennage. The pilot of the Cessna 172M stated that he was stopped in the run-up area conducting a run-up when he looked to the left and observed the Stearman adjacent to the end of the Cessna’s left wing. He stated that the Stearman taxied forward and the propeller struck the left wing, resulting in substantial damage. Neither pilot reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with their respective airplane’s airframe or engine prior to the accident.
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 Boeing PT-13B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 8,000 as pilot in command; 3,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 8, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,476 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 6, 2010; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming R680 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSTS Santa Rosa CA
- Destination: KSTS Santa Rosa CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 14, 5,119 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KSTS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 262 hours in all; 260 in this make and model; 85 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 35 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,654 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 30, 2010; 87 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: North Coast Air, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: KSTS Santa Rosa CA
- Destination: KSTS Santa Rosa CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 5,119 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.