Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, California

Location: Half Moon Bay Airport is located 5 miles north west of Half Moon Bay, California.

History:  The Half Moon Bay Airport was constructed by the California State Highway Department for the U.S. Army in 1942. Known as Half Moon Bay Flight Strip, the Army turned the airport over to the U.S. Navy following the end of World War II and San Mateo County acquired the airport from the Navy in 1947. The airport has served a variety of roles over the years and is currently an important business, transportation and emergency service asset to the community.

Half Moon Bay Airport Today:/a>  Obstructions reported; 100' radio antenna south of approach; Intensive flight trainging;



Airport Services and Amenities:  West Coast Aviation Co.; Restaurant on the field; Three Zero Cafe; Lodging in town; Taxi and Rental Cars available;

Special Events and Attractions: Fitzgerald Marine Researve; Sport Fishing; Princeton Fishing Village;

Airport Area Accident History:

Accident occurred Monday, March 07, 2005 in Half Moon Bay, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/14/2007
Aircraft: Cirrus Design Corp. SR22, registration: N517SW
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot taxied the airplane from the parking area to the end of the runway for takeoff, which was about 1.5 miles, with the right brake on to maintain alignment with the taxiway. He had turned onto the runway, when the passenger saw flames coming from the right main landing gear brake area. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing from the fire. The pilot said that for the past several months, the airplane had been "pulling left," and he had to drag the right brake in order to taxi straight. Two weeks prior to the accident, the pilot informed maintenance of the issue. Maintenance personnel found that the left brake cylinder and assembly had been leaking fluid. They repaired the left brake assembly, and returned the airplane to service. Three days prior to the accident, there was a report to maintenance that the left brake was pulling excessively. Section 4 of the airplane's operating manual, contained a caution note, which directed pilots to taxi with the minimum power needed for forward movement. It stated that excessive braking could result in overheated or damaged brakes, which could result in brake system malfunction or failure. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's excessive braking during taxi that resulted in the right brake overheating and a fire. A factor in the accident was the pilot's continued operation with known deficiencies. ===
Accident occurred Sunday, October 22, 2000 in HALF MOON BAY, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/6/2002
Aircraft: Cessna 172P, registration: N5226K
Injuries: 2 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
The airplane collided with a fence during a forced landing. The pilot reported that as he initiated his approach to runway 30 he noticed strong gusty winds and low-level shear conditions. To compensate, he increased his approach airspeed and left the flaps in their retracted position. While continuing over the approach end of the runway, he encountered an area with a high sink rate. He immediately added full power to stop his descent. With full power, and with the airplane's nose about 5 degrees above the horizon, the airplane began to climb slowly. At this point, the pilot encountered a strong, gusting, right quartering headwind that lifted the right wing and resulted in a loss of altitude. In response, as the airplane touched down beyond the departure end of the runway, he closed the throttle. The airplane rolled through a fence before coming to a stop. Winds at the closest weather reporting station San Francisco International Airport (SFO), were 360 at 18 knots gusting to 22 knots. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: A local windshear condition that exceeded the airplane's climb performance capability during landing approach and resulted in the runway overrun during an attempted go-around.

Half Moon Bay Airport Approach / Landing: