# NTSB ANC03LA005: Piper PA-32, N76RL, Bethel, AK, October 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 2002, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.779724, -161.838058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7797&lon=-161.8381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA005 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of both pilot's to maintain a visual outlook during taxi operations on the ramp. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of both pilot's to maintain a visual outlook during taxi operations on the ramp. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - visual lookout - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - visual lookout - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Piper PA-32 airplane, N76RL, collided with a second Piper PA-32, N31657, as both airplanes were taxiing on the airport ramp. The operators of each of the two airplanes have adjacent loading areas on the ramp. The airline transport certificated pilot of the first Piper was preparing to depart on a cargo flight. The airplane was parked at the operator's ramp area, being fueled by a fuel truck parked in front of the airplane. The fuel truck blocked the pilot's view of the ramp. The fuel truck pulled away, and the pilot started the engine. He then applied engine power to begin a taxi from his parking spot. The pilot indicated he saw no other airplanes due to the high nose angle of his airplane. The commercial certificated pilot of the second Piper was taxiing from landing to the ramp area, headed for a parking spot adjacent to the first Piper. He did not see the first Piper due to the position of the fuel truck. As the second Piper was approaching its parking spot, the pilot began a right turn. At the same time, the fuel truck pulled away, revealing the first Piper pulling out of its parking spot. The pilot of the second Piper tightened his right turn, but the propeller of the first Piper sliced into the leading edge of the second Piper's left wing. The first Piper received minor damage and the second Piper received substantial damage. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Piper PA-32 airplane, N76RL, collided with a second Piper PA-32, N31657, as both airplanes were taxiing on the airport ramp. The operators of each of the two airplanes have adjacent loading areas on the ramp. The airline transport certificated pilot of the first Piper was preparing to depart on a cargo flight. The airplane was parked at the operator's ramp area, being fueled by a fuel truck parked in front of the airplane. The fuel truck blocked the pilot's view of the ramp. The fuel truck pulled away, and the pilot started the engine. He then applied engine power to begin a taxi from his parking spot. The pilot indicated he saw no other airplanes due to the high nose angle of his airplane. The commercial certificated pilot of the second Piper was taxiing from landing to the ramp area, headed for a parking spot adjacent to the first Piper. He did not see the first Piper due to the position of the fuel truck. As the second Piper was approaching its parking spot, the pilot began a right turn. At the same time, the fuel truck pulled away, revealing the first Piper pulling out of its parking spot. The pilot of the second Piper tightened his right turn, but the propeller of the first Piper sliced into the leading edge of the second Piper's left wing. The first Piper received minor damage and the second Piper received substantial damage. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 22, 2002, about 1415 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, N76RL, collided with another Piper PA-32, N31657, as both airplanes were taxiing on the ramp area of the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. N76RL was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Bellair Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, as Flight 400 from Bethel to Eek, Alaska, and received minor damage to the propeller and engine cowling. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. N31657 was operated by Larry's Flying Service Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, as a VFR on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, from Russian Mission, Alaska, to Bethel. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing. The commercial pilot and the four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect for both flights. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that N31657 was taxiing from runway 03 toward its parking spot on the west ramp of the Bethel Airport. He said the two operators involved in this accident have loading areas adjacent to each other on the ramp, and that each pilot's view was blocked by a fuel truck that was positioned in front of N76RL. As N31657 was approaching its parking spot, the pilot began a right turn. The fuel truck pulled away, revealing N76RL beginning to taxi forward away from its parking spot. The pilot of N31657 tightened the right turn, but the propeller of N76RL sliced into the leading edge of N31657's left wing. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot of N76RL, the pilot indicated that he did not see the second airplane taxiing because the nose of his airplane was higher than his line of sight. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 22, 2002, about 1415 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, N76RL, collided with another Piper PA-32, N31657, as both airplanes were taxiing on the ramp area of the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. N76RL was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Bellair Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, as Flight 400 from Bethel to Eek, Alaska, and received minor damage to the propeller and engine cowling. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. N31657 was operated by Larry's Flying Service Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, as a VFR on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, from Russian Mission, Alaska, to Bethel. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing. The commercial pilot and the four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect for both flights. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that N31657 was taxiing from runway 03 toward its parking spot on the west ramp of the Bethel Airport. He said the two operators involved in this accident have loading areas adjacent to each other on the ramp, and that each pilot's view was blocked by a fuel truck that was positioned in front of N76RL. As N31657 was approaching its parking spot, the pilot began a right turn. The fuel truck pulled away, revealing N76RL beginning to taxi forward away from its parking spot. The pilot of N31657 tightened the right turn, but the propeller of N76RL sliced into the leading edge of N31657's left wing. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot of N76RL, the pilot indicated that he did not see the second airplane taxiing because the nose of his airplane was higher than his line of sight. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N76RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76RL-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 32-7540024, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7540024 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Bellair Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PABE, BETHEL, AK - Destination: EEK, EEK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PABE, Bethel ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N31657](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31657), registered now, S/N 32-7840139, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7840139 - Airframe hours: 9001 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Larry'S Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 2002, 24 hours before - Departed: RSH, RUSSIAN MISSION, AK - Destination: PABE, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PABE, Bethel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N76RL; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N31657; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 17, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 99 in this make and model, 1,425 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 142° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.26 inHg - Observed at: PABE ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021022031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021022031329A), Oct 22, 2002: Piper PA32300, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The two airplanes involved in this accident were in motion and taxiing in opposite direction to each other. Both airplanes were taxiing on an… - [Accident 20021022031319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021022031319A), Oct 22, 2002: Piper PA32300, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The two airplanes involved in this accident were in motion and taxiing in opposite direction to each other. Both airplanes were taxiing on an… ## Other investigations on N76RL (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC93LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA005), Oct 6, 1992: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Nightmute, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT DID NOT ATTAIN PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING ON A RAISED GRAVEL RUNWAY. - [NTSB ANC92LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA031), Feb 4, 1992: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Tununak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: MISJUDGED WIND INFORMATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENCE, CROSSWIND AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. - [NTSB ANC91LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA040), Mar 28, 1991: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Kasigluk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOWBANK. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.