# NTSB GAA19CA018: Piper PA 16, N49WV, Manchester, WV, October 7, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2018, 14:11 local (18:11 UTC) - Place: Manchester, WV - Coordinates: 40.533054, -80.541114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5331&lon=-80.5411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA018 ## Probable cause A vehicle's incursion onto an active runway, which resulted in an evasive action by the pilot landing an airplane on that runway and a subsequent runway excursion. ## 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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7101602), [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-to runway: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach, he noticed a vehicle stopped short of the runway on a road that intersected the runway. After touchdown, while taxiing and about 40 ft from the intersection, the vehicle slowly drove on the runway. The pilot veered the airplane left to avoid the vehicle, and the airplane exited the runway to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he assumed that the driver could see the landing airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach, he noticed a vehicle stopped short of the runway, on a road that intersects the runway. After touchdown, while taxiing, about 40 feet from the intersection, the vehicle slowly drove on the runway and, to avoid the vehicle, the pilot veered the airplane left and the airplane exited the runway to the left on the adjacent field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he assumed that the driver had visual of the landing airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49WV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49WV), registered now, S/N 16-723, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 16 (No Series) - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16-723 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 4741 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 2017 - Departed: 7G1, Manchester, WV - Destination: 7G1, Manchester, WV - Airport: 7G1, Herron, runway 22, 2,030 × 20 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 201 total, 33 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KPIT, 15 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 20181007019569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181007019569A), Oct 7, 2018: Piper PA-16, New Cumberland, WV, Substantial damage. When coming in for landing on runway 22, the pilot in command (PIC) stated he observed a vehicle approaching the intersection of the road that crosses the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98464. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.