# NTSB FTW02LA039: Piper PA-32-300, N60TT, Galveston, TX, November 15, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2001, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Galveston, TX - Coordinates: 29.299007, -94.790817 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2990&lon=-94.7908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53800 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53800/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA039 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to set the parking brake before exiting the aircraft to remove the wheel chocks. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - parking brakes - not set, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot had flown the airplane four days prior to the accident date, and after that flight, had inadvertently left the airplane's electrical master switch "ON," which resulted in a discharged battery. In order to start the engine, the pilot connected electrical power to the exterior battery receptacle. The pilot then boarded the airplane and started the engine. After the engine was started, the pilot "set the engine rpm to a low setting," got out of the airplane, and removed the exterior power source and wheel chocks. After removing the wheel chocks, the airplane started to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the unoccupied airplane taxied across the airport into a wet field where it impacted a small ditch. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2001, at 1400 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 single-engine airplane, N60TT, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch while taxiing unoccupied at the Scholes Field Airport near Galveston, Texas. The instrument-rated private pilot, who was to be the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the proposed 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. In a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had flown the airplane four days prior to the accident date. The pilot stated that after that flight, he had inadvertently left the airplane's electrical master switch "ON," which resulted in a discharged battery. In order to start the engine, the pilot connected electrical power to the exterior battery receptacle. The pilot then boarded the airplane and started the engine. After the engine was started, the pilot "set the engine rpm to a low setting," got out of the airplane, and removed the exterior power source and wheel chocks. After removing the wheel chocks, the airplane started to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the unoccupied airplane taxied across the airport into a wet field where it impacted a small ditch. An FAA inspector stated that a mechanic, who examined the airplane, reported the right main gear had collapsed damaging the wing spar. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60TT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60TT), registered now, S/N 32-7940151, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - 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: 32-7940151 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert T. Garrett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GLS, Galveston, TX - Airport: GLS, Scholes Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 40 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GLS ## 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 20011115030079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011115030079A), Nov 15, 2001: Piper PA32300, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 15, 2001, at 1400 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 single-engine airplane, N60TT, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch… 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.