# NTSB LAX05CA230: Piper PA-28-161, N9886K, Tucson, AZ, July 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2005, 06:20 local (13:20 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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61951/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA230 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fuel truck, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - vehicle - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a fuel truck during taxi to the runway for takeoff. The certified flight instructor (CFI) noticed a fuel truck to the left and pointed it out to the student pilot, who had the controls. During the taxi, another student, who was in the back seat, asked the CFI to explain how to determine the magnetic deviation column of the visual flight rules flight plan form. The CFI stated that during his explanation, both he and the student in the back of the airplane were looking only at the compass card. At that time, the airplane's right wing struck the front of the fuel truck. The CFI then took the controls and applied full brakes. In spite of the corrective action, the momentum of the collision swung the airplane into the side of the truck. The CFI shutdown the engine and turned off the battery. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2005, about 0620 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N9886K, collided with a fuel truck during taxi at the Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, Arizona. International Airline Training Academy was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the student pilot, and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI reported that they were taxing to the runway for takeoff. He noticed a fuel truck to the left and pointed it out to the student pilot, who had the controls. The CFI stated that during the taxi, another student, who was in the back seat, asked the CFI to explain how to determine the magnetic deviation column of the VFR flight plan form. The CFI stated that during his explanation, both he and the student in the back of the airplane were only looking inside the cockpit at the compass card. At that time, the airplane's right wing struck the front of the fuel truck. The CFI then took the controls and applied full brakes. In spite of the corrective action, the momentum of the collision swung the airplane into the side of the truck. The CFI shutdown the engine and turned off the battery. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9886K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9886K), registered now, S/N 28-7816205, built 1977 (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: 28-7816205 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: International Airline Training Academy - Registered owner: Jean Marc Eloy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 555 total, 236 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 1; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 20050712015859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050712015859A), Jul 12, 2005: Piper PA28161, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was taxiing from company ramp to active taxiway. Student pilot on controls, as aircraft was taxiing; instructor was distracted by passenger in… 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.