# NTSB ERA13CA123: Piper PA-32-301, N8385S, Lancaster, PA, January 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 27, 2013, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, PA - Coordinates: 40.119998, -76.289718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1200&lon=-76.2897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86119/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86119 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA123 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a parked vehicle while taxiing from landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while taxiing back to the hangar, she noticed a parked vehicle in the distance and off to the right of the taxiway she was traveling on. The pilot applied brakes to slow the airplane and looked to her right to ensure there was adequate space between the wing and the vehicle. The pilot returned her eyes to the taxiway in front of her momentarily but turned her attention to the vehicle once again for reassurance, at which time the airplane struck the vehicle, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while taxiing out to the runway in her low wing configured airplane, she was forced to steer her aircraft well to the right of the taxiway to avoid hitting a parked vehicle. When the pilot was taxiing back to the hangar she noticed the same parked vehicle in the distance and off to the right of the taxiway she was traveling on. The pilot applied brakes to slow the airplane and looked to her right to ensure there was adequate space between the wing and the vehicle. The pilot returned her eyes to the taxiway in front of her momentarily, but turned her attention to the vehicle once again for reassurance at which time the airplane struck the vehicle resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8385S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8385S), registered now, S/N 32-8106065, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8106065 - Airframe hours: 4808 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Belair Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Belair Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2012, 167 hours before - Departed: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Airport: LNS, Lancaster Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 697 total, 344 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.47 inHg - Observed at: LNS ## 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 20130127001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130127001579A), Jan 27, 2013: Piper PA-32-301, Lancaster, PA, Substantial damage. At the completion of the flight, aircraft was taxiing on a non-movement area when the aircrafts right wing tip struck a parked passenger vehicle, parked in… ## Other investigations on N8385S (2) 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 NYC91LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA065), Jan 24, 1991: Piper PA-32-301 (N8385S), Celina, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE POWERPLANT CONTROLS, MAGNETOS AND BRAKES. - [NTSB MKC85LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA200), Aug 31, 1985: Piper PA-32-301 (N8385S), Fredericktown, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86119. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 4, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Diagram of Accident Location (Courtesy of Accident Pilot) (item 5, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387317&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Diagram%20of%20Accident%20Location%20(Courtesy%20of%20Accident%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Picture of Airplane Wing and Parked Vehicle (Courtesy of Accident Pilot) (item 6, .PDF, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20Wing%20and%20Parked%20Vehicle%20(Courtesy%20of%20Accident%20Pilot)-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. --- 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.