# NTSB GAA19CA196: Piper PA32, N4821S, Lakeland, FL, April 3, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2019, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.987499, -82.01889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9875&lon=-82.0189&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99220/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99220 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi to parking. ## 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-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during taxi to parking, he was following the ground guide's arm and hand signals. The pilot turned the airplane right to maneuver it between a fence line on the left and a parked airplane on the right. During the right turn, the airplane's left wing struck a fence post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during taxi to parking he was following the ground guides arm and hand signals. The pilot made a right turn to maneuver the airplane between a fence line on the left, and a parked airplane on the right. During the right turn, the airplane's left wing struck the fence post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4821S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4821S), registered now, S/N 32-1252, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-1252 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2879 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: 4821S Llc - Registered owner: 4821S Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2018 - Departed: SGJ, St. Augustine, FL - Destination: SGJ, St. Augustine, FL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Intl - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 18, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 314.7 total, 83.5 in this make and model, 314.7 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KLAL, 2 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 20190403002449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190403002449A), Apr 3, 2019: Piper PA-32-260, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed and was taxiing slowly in grassy camp ground area during sun-n-fun. While turning right, the left wing tip hit the metal chain link fence post… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99220. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.