Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, CA

Airport Location: The Hollister Municipal Airport is located 3 miles north of Hollister, California.

Airport History:

Hollister Municipal Airport Today: Obstructions reported; Fire fighting aircraft June through October; Agricultural operations; parachuting; Soaring; Ultralights;



Airport Services & Amenities:  Bay Area Glider Rides and Hollister Gliding Club; Gavilan Aviation; Restaurant on the field; Ding-a-ling Cafe; Lodging within 1 mile;

Special Events and Attractions: Fremont Peak State Park; Gilroy Gardens; Hollister Hills; San Juan Bautista: Golf; 

Airport Area Accident History:

Accident occurred Tuesday, March 23, 2010 in Hollister, CA
Aircraft: PIPER PA30, registration: VHEXA
Injuries: 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On March 23, 2010, about 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30 of Australian registry, VHEXA, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb at the Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH), Hollister, California. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The extended overwater cross-country flight was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with a reported destination of Kona (KOA), Hawaii.

In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that just after taking off and at an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground "...the left engine 'surged' and lost partial power." The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain altitude, as all ferry tanks on board were full of fuel and the airplane was near its maximum gross takeoff weight. The pilot reported that power was restored to the left engine as the airplane descended, but not before it impacted terrain, coming to rest in an inverted position.

The airplane will be recovered to a secure location for further examination in an effort to determine the partial loss of engine power to the left engine.
= = =
= = =
Accident occurred Monday, April 20, 2009 in Hollister, MO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/14/2009
Aircraft: ZENITH CH-250, registration: N931CE
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot seated in the left seat reported that he was the flying pilot when the accident occurred. He reported that he overcorrected during a crosswind landing. The airplane swerved to the left and right of centerline two times before veering off the right side of the runway. The airplane traveled down the slope covered with wet grass and impacted an elevated service road and culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the nose and right main landing gear collapsed.
= = =
= = =
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 21, 2008 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/15/2009
Aircraft: ROYSE DAVID AVID C AEROBAT, registration: N967DR
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The pilot reported that he departed with the intention of flying around the traffic pattern to maintain his flying currency. After a few minutes, he approached runway 23 and attempted to land. The pilot stated that the wind was from a northerly direction at 7-10 knots and was gusty. The pilot entered a sideslip to maintain runway alignment. As the airplane crossed the threshold, it suddenly lost lift and descended until it impacted the runway, bounced, and then nosed over. The airplane came to rest in an inverted attitude adjacent to the south side of the runway, about 350 feet upwind of the runway's landing threshold. The airplane's rudder and wing lift struts were bent. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions occurred with the airplane and that its engine operated normally. The pilot also reported that he was flying his airplane under his sport pilot license and that no aviation medical certificate was required.
= = =
= =

Accident occurred Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/28/2008
Aircraft: Cessna P206A, registration: N4638F
Injuries: 7 Uninjured.
A Travel Air 4000 collided with a Cessna P206A on the ground at a non-towered municipal airport. The Travel Air was taxiing in after landing on runway 31, and the Cessna P206A was standing with its engine operating on the ramp. According to the pilot of the Travel Air, he taxied off of runway 31 onto taxiway B. As he taxied toward the airport parking ramp, he started a clearing "S" turn and observed the Cessna P206A directly in front of him. He turned hard to the left, but the outer 2 feet of the Travel Air's lower right wing passed through the propeller arc of the Cessna. A piece of the Travel Air's lower right wing was cut off. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The failure of the pilot of the other airplane to maintain physical clearance while taxiing. ===
Accident occurred Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/28/2008
Aircraft: Travel Air 4000, registration: N3945
Injuries: 7 Uninjured.
A Travel Air 4000 collided with a Cessna P206A on the ground at a non-towered municipal airport. The Travel Air was taxiing in after landing on runway 31, and the Cessna P206A was standing with its engine operating on the ramp. According to the pilot of the Travel Air, he taxied off of runway 31 onto taxiway B at the non-towered airport. As he taxied toward the airport parking ramp, he started a clearing "S" turn and observed the Cessna P206A directly in front of him. He turned hard to the left, but the outer 2 feet of the Travel Air's lower right wing passed through the propeller arc of the Cessna. A piece of the Travel Air's lower right wing was cut off. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's failure to maintain physical clearance from the other airplane while taxiing. ===
Accident occurred Friday, May 02, 2008 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/28/2008
Aircraft: Vans Aircraft RV-7A, registration: N269SD
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing slightly outboard of the fuel tank. The airplane immediately yawed and banked to left. The pilot attempted to straighten the airplane and land, however, despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to roll to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane cart wheeled. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the outboard sections of both wings and empennage. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or airframe. A large deceased goose was found in the debris field following the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The in-flight collision with a bird. ===
Accident occurred Friday, January 25, 2008 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-32, registration: N87R
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The glider flight instructor was giving a lesson to a 12-hour student pilot. The weather conditions were deteriorating rapidly with cloud bases at 3,900 feet and the wind was 110 degrees at 30 knots gusting to 37 knots. The tow departure was on runway 13; the flight instructor said they encountered some light rain during the tow. She said they stayed in the traffic pattern with left hand turns. The flight instructor said the student kept the glider aligned with the runway centerline and the landing was "light." The student turned off the runway on to a high speed taxiway, but the glider began drifting to the left. The left wing impacted a runway sign and light. The left wing's leading edge was indented approximately 10 inches to the spar and the left inboard aileron was wrinkled and bent. The glider club owner said that the flight instructor was delayed in taking control of the glider during taxi. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The dual student's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing from the active runway and the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. A contributing factor was the unfavorable high wind condition. ===
Accident occurred Saturday, May 29, 2004 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/8/2005
Aircraft: Beech A36, registration: N6797Y
Injuries: 5 Uninjured.
The airplane impacted a taxiway sign, a bale of hay, and a ditch during an aborted takeoff. The private pilot reported that she conducted the preflight inspection and conducted the pre-takeoff and systems and settings checks. During the takeoff roll about halfway down the runway, the control yoke pushed back against the pilot's hand and the nose wheel came up off the runway. The pilot then applied forward pressure on the control yoke while checking the airspeed indicator. The pilot noticed that the airspeed was in the "green range," and released some of the forward pressure that she had applied to the yoke. When she released the forward pressure, the airplane's nose pitched up abruptly, and the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane was approximately 35 feet above the ground when this occurred. The pilot lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane banked to the left approximately 30 degrees. The pilot reduced the power to abort the takeoff, and the wings leveled. The airplane was to the left of the departure runway and 50 feet above the ground, so the pilot elected to reapply full power. The airplane banked left again so the pilot pulled the power to idle to abort the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane impacted the taxiway sign, bale of hay, and ditch before coming to rest. A post accident examination of the trim system revealed that the trim tab was approximately 5.5 degrees off from the cockpit's trim indicator in the nose up direction. No mechanical reason could be found for what the pilot described as the airplane's left banking tendency. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane underwent its last annual inspection 80 hours prior to the accident. During the annual inspection the mechanic "checked lights, cables, pulleys, controls, and attach points." Approximately 150 hours prior to the accident, a mechanic "installed bushings and jack screws, and hardware as necessary to remove excessive free play from elevator trim tab system." The pilot did not notice the trim setting anomaly during the preflight inspection. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect the mis-rigged elevator trim system, and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. ===
Accident occurred Friday, March 12, 2004 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/2/2004
Aircraft: Jerry Garrison Christen Eagle II, registration: N796L
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane collided with a taxiway sign while attempting to land. A crosswind from the left required the pilot to perform a forward slip. As the airplane approached the runway, he raised the nose and leveled the airplane. He noted that the airplane was to the right of centerline, by looking out the left side of the cockpit; in a nose-high attitude the pilot is unable to see in front of this airplane. In his peripheral vision, he could see pavement on both sides of the airplane, leading him to believe that he was still over the runway. The landing gear collided with a taxiway sign off the right side of the runway, and the nose impacted the ground. The pilot noted that there is old pavement adjacent to both sides of the runway, making it appear wider than it is. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to obtain proper runway alignment and maintain clearance from a sign due to his inadequate visual lookout. Factors in the accident were crosswind conditions. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, February 12, 2004 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Piper PA-34-200, registration: N55073
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway during landing and collided with a runway sign. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were practicing a simulated single engine approach. The student lost directional control of the airplane after touchdown. The CFI elected to do a go-around. Just after adding power for the go-around, the airplane veered off of the runway and the right flap assembly impacted a runway sign. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, June 26, 2003 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/28/2004
Aircraft: MCANALLY Glasair JM-1, registration: N104JM
Injuries: 2 Serious.
The pilot had just departed the airport when the engine started to surge. Upon reducing power and leaning the mixture, the engine smoothed out and the pilot was able to turn the airplane back towards the airport. At 800 feet and parallel to runway 31, the engine quit. During the descent, the airplane clipped a tree and struck a piece of concrete before coming to rest inverted in a field. The pilot stated that the electric fuel boost pump, which was required for flight, was not turned on. A post accident inspection failed to reveal any discrepancies with the engine or the aircraft's fuel system. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction with the airplane. To prevent similar accident in the future, he recommended turning the electric fuel pump to the "ON" position, prior to departure. The pilot reported the ambient temperature to be 38 degrees Celsius. Item number 5 on the pretakeoff portion of the checklist notes to turn on the electric boost pump. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to follow the checklist and apply the electric fuel pump prior to takeoff, which resulted in vapor lock. ===
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 27, 2002 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 172N, registration: N2423E
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway surface and nosed over during the pilot's attempted landing. While on the landing roll, the pilot applied brake pressure. The airplane immediately began to veer to the left and the pilot input right brake pressure, in an effort to counteract the change in direction; however, the airplane continued veering to left, off the runway surface. The airplane encountered a ditch and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that he completed a thorough inspection of the wheel and brake assemblies, and he found no anomalies or evidence of malfunction or failure prior to impact. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. ===
Accident occurred Saturday, May 12, 2001 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/20/2002
Aircraft: Aeronca 7DC, registration: N4009B
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
Approaching the airport, the pilot became aware that during landing on runway 31 he would encounter a left crosswind condition. The pilot landed with the airplane's left wing low to compensate for the crosswind. However, as the airplane decelerated it yawed right. The pilot's actions were inadequate to compensate for the surface wind that was from about 240 degrees, between 10 and 15 knots. Thereafter, the pilot lost directional control of his airplane. It veered right off the side of runway 31 and impacted a berm. The runway is 6,350 feet long and 100 feet wide. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate aircraft handling procedure and failure to maintain directional control while landing in a known crosswind. ===
Accident occurred Sunday, March 18, 2001 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/25/2003
Aircraft: Enstrom F-28C, registration: N637H
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The private pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter after taking off from a field behind his house and it landed hard, then rolled over after he reduced power and lowered the collective. The pilot reported the helicopter was approximately 50-70 feet in the air when the helicopter violently rotated to the left approximately 90 degrees then started to spin to the right 180 degrees. The pilot added there was no normal response to control inputs. The pilot reduced power and lowered the collective. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, and spun around to the left before coming to rest on its left side. Inspection of the antitorque control system revealed no preimpact anomalies. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's inadequate use of the antitorque controls and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the takeoff initial climb.
Airport Approach / Landing: