Norman Mineta International Airport, San Jose, CA
Airport Location: The San Jose
International Airport is located 2 miles north west of San Jose, California.
Airport History:
In 1939, a wholesale grocer and future mayor of San Jose, named Ernie
Renzel led a group that negotiated an option to purchase 483 acres of the
Stockton Ranch from the Crocker family, to be the site of San Jose's
airport. Renzel led the effort to pass a bond measure to pay for the land in
1940. In 1945, test pilot James Nissen leased about 16 acres of
this land to build a runway, hangar and office building for a flight school.
When the city of San Jose decided to develop a municipal airport, Nissen
sold his share of the aviation business and became San Jose's first airport
manager. Both Renzel and Nissen were instrumental in the development of San
Jose Municipal Airport over the next few decades, culminating with the
opening of what is now Terminal C in 1965.
In November 2001, the airport was renamed after Norman Y Mineta, who is a
native of San Jose, its former mayor and congressman, former US Secretary of
Commerce and former US Secretary of Transportation.
San Jose, Norman International
Airport Today: Obstructions reported;
Birds in the area; Airline services; Helicopter operations;
Airport Services & Amenities:
ACM Aviation, Inc.; Atlantic Aviation San Jose; Corporate Air Technology;
Jim Lafferty Aircraft Sales; LAC Avionics, Inc.; Restaurants on the field;
Burger King; California Kitchen; Deli at Atlantic San Jose; Harbor Express;
Sr Jalepeno; Max's Deli; Noah's Bagels; Starbucks;
Special Events & Attractions:
Moffet Field Air
Museum; Children's Discovery Museum; Great America; The Tech Museum of
Innovation; Winchester Mystery House; US Customs;
Airport Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Saturday, April 10, 2004 in
San Jose, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/8/2005
Aircraft: Grumman American AA-5B, registration:
N74270
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane encountered jet blast from a
executive jet transport Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, while taxing to
parking. After making an uneventful landing, the pilot taxied off the runway
and established communications with ground control. The controller cleared
him to taxi to his requested destination, and about 30 seconds later the
Global Express jet, which was parked on a FBO ramp with its tail pointed to
the taxiway, called ground control and said they were ready to taxi. The
ground controller cleared the Global Express to taxi behind the Grumman to
the active runway. As the Grumman taxied past the Global Express' parking
spot, the jet's engines began to spool up, resulting in a jet blast toward
the right side of the Grumman. The Grumman swerved uncontrollably, and the
left axle sheared off. The controller did not advise the Grumman of the
potential jet blast hazard he could encounter while taxiing behind the
Global Express. The Global Express was parked about 100 yards to the east of
the tower with nothing impeding line of sight between the two. The National
Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this
accident as follows: the pilot's encounter with jet blast effects. Factors
in the accident were the pilots' inadequate situational awareness of the
potential for the jet blast encounter after hearing the Global Express
airplane on the frequency call ready for taxi, and, the ground controller's
failure to issue a safety advisory. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, December 18, 2003 in
SAN JOSE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/30/2004
Aircraft: Luscombe 8E, registration: N1338B
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway on the
landing rollout, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest inverted. The pilot
made a normal, straight-in approach to the runway, where he completed a
three-point landing. During the landing roll, the right main gear and wing
lifted. He corrected with right aileron, and the airplane began turning to
the right. He then applied left rudder; however, he had released
backpressure on the stick during the right aileron correction, and the
rudder application was ineffective. The airplane then traveled off of the
runway. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical problems with the
airplane. 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 during the landing roll. ===
Accident occurred Friday, February 22, 2002 in
San Jose, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/30/2004
Aircraft: Beech V35, registration: N131Y
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane made a forced landing in a field,
following a total loss of engine power. While en route, the pilot reported
moderate turbulence at 4,000 feet; however, he was able to maintain level
flight, and directional control of the airplane. About 2,000 feet agl, the
pilot setup for the approach to land and increased the power to offset the
strong turbulent conditions. The engine did not respond to the throttle
input. He then applied full throttle, mixture, and propeller in an effort to
execute a go-around, but again, the engine failed to respond. After
colliding with several objects, the airplane landed on a grassy field in a
residential area. The pilot never made an attempt to restart the engine
after it lost power. Post accident inspections revealed no power plant
abnormalities. No other airframe or fuel system related discrepancies that
could explain a loss of power were found. The National Transportation Safety
Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: a loss
of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing
into a residential area. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, March 08, 2001 in
San Jose, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/28/2001
Aircraft: Cessna 140 , registration: N77J
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that, following a normal
approach, the airplane bounced slightly on touchdown. As it touched down a
second time, the aircraft started to veer to the right and, although he
applied left rudder, the plane continued to veer more sharply to the right
and a groundloop ensued. The left main landing gear strut collapsed and the
aircraft came to rest on the right-hand edge of the runway about 800 feet
from the threashold. The pilot reported there were no mechanical
malfunctions and that weather was not a factor. The wind was calm. The
National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of
this accident as follows: The failure of the pilot to maintain directional
control during landing.
Airport Approach / Landing:
