# NTSB GAA16CA237: Piper PA28, N416PA, Wickenburg, AZ, May 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2016, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Wickenburg, AZ - Coordinates: 33.971111, -112.794441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9711&lon=-112.7944&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93185/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93185 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to monitor the parked vehicle, which resulted in a ground collision and substantial damage to the left wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/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-28-181, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taxiing in the ramp area after landing, he was focused on an airplane parked to his right and was not monitoring the proximity of a vehicle parked to his left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the parked vehicle. The left wing spar was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while taxiing in the ramp area after landing, he was focused on an airplane parked to his right and was not monitoring the proximity of a vehicle parked to his left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the parked vehicle. The left wing spar was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N416PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N416PA), registered now, S/N 2843438, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843438 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Transpac Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Bird Acquisition LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: NYL, YUMA, AZ - Destination: E25, Wickenburg, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: E25, Wickenburg Muni - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review May 11, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 274.1 total, 226 in this make and model, 83.4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBXK, 33 nm away ## 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 20160512008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160512008799A), May 12, 2016: Piper PA-28-181, Wickenburg, AZ, Substantial damage. While taxing to parking area at E25 airport, pilot was focused on avoiding a parked aircraft off his right wing. After clearing the parked aircraft, the pilot… ## Other investigations on N416PA (1) 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 LAX08CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA076), Mar 15, 2008: Piper PA-28-181 (N416PA), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93185. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%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. --- 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.