Accident Description
A Piper Malibu, piloted by a private pilot, and a Piper Cherokee, piloted by a student pilot on his third solo flight, collided on runway 16R at Van Nuys Airport, which is served by an air traffic control tower. The accident occurred shortly after sunset. The Cherokee was preparing for takeoff and had been cleared to taxi into position and hold on the runway. The Malibu was on a visual approach and had been cleared to land on runway 16R. According to the Malibu pilot, during the landing roll he encountered the Cherokee on the runway despite his clearance to land.
ATC Communications
During an interview with the air traffic controller (LC1) who was handling the aircraft, he indicated that he had instructed the Malibu to make a left base for runway 16R after the pilot made initial contact with the control tower. He then cleared a Hawker jet on final to land. The Cherokee pilot radioed that he was ready for departure when the Hawker jet was on short final, and the controller instructed the Cherokee pilot to hold short. According to LC1, as the Hawker jet rolled past intersection 13, the Cherokee was cleared into position and he advised the pilot of the position of the Malibu. He then observed the Cherokee. He did not clear the Cherokee for takeoff, but instructed the Cessna to follow the Malibu. LC1 was checking for extended landing gear on the Cessna on final when someone shouted, "You got a guy at 13." He said no one had mentioned the Cherokee prior to the accident.
Investigation Findings
According to LC1, he believes this accident is the result of human error, a lapse of memory and scanning. He acknowledged that he did not remember the Cherokee holding in position and hold on the runway. The investigation revealed an obstructed view from the LC1 workstation. FAA Order 7110.65, paragraph 2-9-4(f), states: "Do not authorize an aircraft to taxi into position and hold at an intersection between sunset and sunrise or anytime when the intersection is not visible."