# NTSB LAX04CA208: Piper PA-28-161, N84245, Tucson, AZ, May 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2004, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.142223, -111.174446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1422&lon=-111.1744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59225/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA208 ## Probable cause the backhoe driver's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering near a taxiway, which resulted in its collision with a taxiing airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - vehicle - visual lookout - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis A backhoe backed onto a taxiway and impacted an airplane while it was taxiing. The pilot indicated that he observed the backhoe next to the taxiway and elected to stop to see what it was doing. When he noted that the backhoe was not moving, he proceeded to move ahead on the taxiway. As the airplane taxied abeam the backhoe, the backhoe moved back onto the taxiway and impacted the airplane's right wing. The pilot and chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2004, at 1100 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N84245, had a backhoe collide with its right wing during taxi at the Ryan Airfield, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, International Airline Training Academy, Tucson. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. The backhoe was not damaged and the driver of the vehicle was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local flight departed approximately 1 hour prior to the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he was taxiing into the ramp area after landing and was positioned on the centerline of the taxiway. He saw the backhoe next to the taxiway, so he stopped the airplane to see what the vehicle was doing. He noticed that the backhoe was not moving and proceeded forward on the taxiway. As the airplane taxied abeam the backhoe, the backhoe backed up onto the taxiway impacting the leading edge of the right wing resulting in substantial damage. According to the chief pilot of the flight school, construction had been taking place between two buildings near the ramp. The backhoe had plenty of room to maneuver without having to enter the taxiway. The pilot and chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84245](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84245-2009-03-31), registration cancelled 2009-03-31, S/N 28-8116295, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116295 - Airframe hours: 4172.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: IATA Inc. - Registered owner: International Airline Training Academy Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 2004, 41.4 hours before - Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 182 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 10 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 20040513009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040513009959A), May 13, 2004: Piper PA28161, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taxiing to parking area. The taxiway was adjacent to a large administration building. A back-hoe equipped tractor was operating behind the… 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.