# NTSB ERA11CA131: Piper PA-28-161, N9127F, Atlanta, GA, January 29, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 29, 2011, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.871944, -84.301109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8719&lon=-84.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78266/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78266
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA131

## Probable cause

The pilot's wrong turn while taxiing resulting in a collision with a sign.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was holding short of a runway intersection awaiting further clearance from the ground air traffic controller. After receiving clearance to cross the runway, the pilot mistakenly turned left onto a grassy area. The right wing impacted a sign, resulting in substantial damage to the aileron and wing flap. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was holding short of a runway intersection for further clearance from ground control. After receiving clearance to cross the runway, the pilot mistakenly turned left onto a grassy area. The right wing impacted a sign, resulting in substantial damage to the aileron and wing flap. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9127F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9127F-2018-06-06), registration cancelled 2018-06-06, S/N 2816106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2816106
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve Shaner, doing business as American Air Flight Training
- Registered owner: Flightpath USA LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PDK, Atlanta, GA
- Destination: PDK, Atlanta, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 324 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Observed at: PDK

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20110129001929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110129001929A), Jan 29, 2011: Piper PA-28-161, Chamblee, GA, Substantial damage. Statement received from pilot states he made an unintentional wide turn and felt he misjudged the turn and should have started turn earlier when cleared to…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78266. 858 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photos of damage to airplane (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 569 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20damage%20to%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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.

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