# NTSB LAX04CA088: Piper PA 28-181, N9272Q, Groveland, CA, January 3, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 3, 2004, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Groveland, CA
- Coordinates: 37.861667, -120.17778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8617&lon=-120.1778&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA088

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.  Factors to the accident were the parked vehicle, and the pilot's diverted attention.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The left wing of the airplane collided with a parked vehicle on the taxiway.  The pilot was taxiing down the center of the taxiway, and was distracted by light snow and slush located in a dip.  While he was focused on the dip, the collision occurred.  The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On January 3, 2004, about 1310 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 28-181, N9272Q, collided with a vehicle while taxiing at Pine Mountain Lake Airport, Groveland, California.  The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal flight departed Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California, about 1200.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that while taxiing he was distracted by light snow and slush located in a dip of the taxiway.  While he was focused on the dip, the left wing collided with a parked pickup truck.  The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

In a phone conversation with the IIC, the pilot reported that he was taxiing down the center of the taxiway when the collision occurred.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9272Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9272Q-2014-07-14), registration cancelled 2014-07-14, S/N 2843038, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA 28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2843038
- Airframe hours: 772.8
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 Series reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas s. Bucci
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 2003, 73.9 hours before
- Departed: KVCB, Vacaville, CA
- Destination: Q68, Groveland, CA
- Airport: Q68, Pine Mountain Lake Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 18, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 280 in this make and model, 445 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg

## 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 20040103000039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040103000039A), Jan 3, 2004: Piper PA28181, Groveland, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had taxied past a point of interest on the surface of the residential airport/fly-in community. His attention was focused on a frosty/slushy area…

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.

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