Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Date & Time: December 9, 2023, 11:06 Local
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20-C1 (A1); ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (A2)
Defining Event: Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation
Flight Conducted Under: Unknown (A1); Unknown (A2)
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Incident Number:
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OPS24LA011
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Registration:
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N857PA (A1);
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N744AF (A2)
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Aircraft Damage:
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None (A1); None (A2)
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Injuries:
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2 None (A1); 1 None
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(A2)
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Analysis
A Robinson R-44 helicopter N744AF, VW02 (View 02), and a Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, N857PA were involved in a near midair collision (NMAC) approximately 1.7 miles west of the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT).
At the time of the incident the VGT airport traffic control tower (ATCT) was staffed by two controllers with three personnel available. The local control 1 (LC1), local control 2 (LC2), local assist (LA1), and controller in charge (CIC) positions were all combined to the LC1 position. The ground control (GC), flight data (FD), and clearance delivery (CD) positions were combined at the GC position. According to ATC audio recordings and post event interviews, the LC1 controller had instructed N857PA to enter left traffic for runway 30L. About 25 seconds later, VW02 requested a west departure from the transient ramp and the LC1 controller advised departure would be at their own risk. About three minutes later, VW02 and N857PA experienced a NMAC after VW02 had departed to the west and N857PA was on a southeast heading, approaching the mid-field left downwind position for runway 30L.The LC1 controller’s expectation that VW02 would have departed sooner led to an inadequate scan and loss of situational awareness. Additionally, the LC1 controller did not provide adequate or timely traffic advisory or safety alert information to either aircraft as required in FAA Order JO 7110.65AA, Air Traffic Control.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this incident to be: The local controller’s loss of situational awareness, inadequate provision of traffic advisory or safety alert information, and lack of positive control, that resulted in a near-midair collision.
Findings
Personnel issues (A1) - Performance calculations - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A1) - Monitoring other aircraft - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A1) - Monitoring environment - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A1) - Decision making/judgment - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A1) - Lack of action - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A2) - (general) - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A2) - Monitoring environment - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A2) - Monitoring other aircraft - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A2) - Expectation/assumption - ATC personnel
Personnel issues (A2) - Lack of action - ATC personnel
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation (Defining event)
downwind (A1)
Approach-VFR pattern Air traffic event
downwind (A1)
Initial climb (A2) Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation
Initial climb (A2) Air traffic event
Information
Certificate: Age:
Airplane Rating(s): Seat Occupied:
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A1)
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Aircraft Make:
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DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC
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Registration:
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N857PA
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Model/Series:
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DA20-C1
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Aircraft Category:
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Airplane
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Year of Manufacture:
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2003
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Unknown
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Serial Number:
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C0218
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Landing Gear Type:
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Tricycle
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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Unknown
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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CONT MOTOR
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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IO-240 SER
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Registered Owner:
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DIAMOND AIRCRAFT SALES
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Rated Power:
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128 Horsepower
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OF KENTUCKY LLC
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Operator:
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DIAMOND AIRCRAFT SALES
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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OF KENTUCKY LLC
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Held:
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
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N744AF
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Model/Series:
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R44
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2008
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Unknown
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Serial Number:
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1955
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last
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Unknown
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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LYCOMING
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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O-540-F1B5
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Registered Owner:
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SKYLINE HELICOPTER TOURS
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Rated Power:
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260 Horsepower
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LLC
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Operator:
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SKYLINE HELICOPTER TOURS
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Commercial air tour (136)
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LLC
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Held:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KVGT,2190 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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0 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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10:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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81°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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8 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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Unknown / Unknown
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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340°
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Turbulence Severity
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Unknown / Unknown
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.48 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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11°C / -13°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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North Las Vegas, NV (A1);
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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VFR (A1); VFR (A2)
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North Las Vegas, NV (A2)
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Destination:
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North Las Vegas, NV (A1);
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR (A1); VFR (A2)
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North Las Vegas, NV (A2)
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class D (A1); Class D (A2)
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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North Las Vegas VGT
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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Traffic pattern
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Wreckage and Impact Information (A1)
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Crew Injuries:
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2 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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None
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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2 None
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Latitude,
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36.211268,-115.19968(est)
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Longitude:
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Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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None
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 None
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Latitude,
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36.211268,-115.19968(est)
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Ogden, Casey
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Additional Participating
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Dan Carrico; NATCA; Chicago, IL
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Persons:
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Darin Stephens; FAA
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Original Publish Date:
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December 5, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this incident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193529
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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