Probable cause
The tower controller's failure to ensure the runway was clear before allowing Skywest 69R to land. Factors contributing to the incident were the Malibu pilot's and tower controller's unfamiliarity with the airport layout.
NTSB analysis
On August 28, 2008, about 2107 Pacific daylight time, a runway incursion and near-collision occurred between N9219T, a Piper Malibu, and Skywest Airlines flight 69R (SKW69R), a Canadair CRJ-200. Both aircraft were landing on runway 29R at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT), Fresno, California, and were under control of the FAT airport traffic control tower. Malibu 9219T was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 91 flight from John Wayne Airport (SNA) to FAT. SKW69R was a 14 CFR part 121 scheduled air carrier operating under instrument flight rules from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to FAT. There were 4 crew and 42 passengers aboard the Skywest flight, and 1 pilot and 5 passengers aboard the Malibu. There were no reports of damage or injuries aboard either aircraft.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for OPS08IA013 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 29, 2008
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Fresno, California
- Nearest airport
- Fresno - Yosemite Intl
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
Piper PA-46
- N-number
- N9219T
- Category
- Airplane
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.