# NTSB LAX07CA157: Piper PA-38-112, N2539D, Mariposa, CA, May 11, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2007, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Mariposa, CA - Coordinates: 37.510833, -120.039443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5108&lon=-120.0394&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 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65771/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle while taxiing. ## 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 - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle ## Analysis The airplane's left wing impacted a service vehicle while the pilot was taxiing for takeoff on a taxiway that paralleled the active runway. At the time, the service vehicle was stationary and unoccupied. It was located partially on the apron adjacent to the taxiway and partially on the taxiway. The ground collision occurred while the airplane was proceeding on the centerline of the taxiway. Available room to taxi existed to the south of the taxiway, should the pilot have elected to use the area. No mechanical malfunctions were reported with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 2007, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2539D, taxied into a service vehicle that was parked on the apron south of runway 26 at the Mariposa-Yosemite (uncontrolled) Airport, Mariposa, California. The ground collision occurred while the pilot was taxiing for takeoff. The airplane was operated by Mazzei Flying Service, Fresno, California, and it was substantially damaged. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Fresno about 0730. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his flight from Fresno to Mariposa was uneventful. The pilot made several touch-and-go takeoffs and landings after arriving at Mariposa, and then he made a full stop landing. Thereafter, he opted to taxi back for another takeoff on runway 26. While proceeding in an easterly direction on the centerline of the taxiway that parallels runway 26, he observed a stopped vehicle on the apron, to the left of his airplane. The pilot indicated that he continued taxiing on the taxiway, but his left wing tip impacted the vehicle. The vehicle was located to the north (left) of the airplane, and it was parked partially on the apron and partially on the taxiway. No other airplanes or vehicles were in the area of the taxiway or apron at the time of the collision. The area to the south (right) of the taxiing airplane was available for use by the taxiing airplane. The pilot indicated that he could have either stopped or altered his course off the centerline of the taxiway to avoid the parked vehicle. No mechanical malfunctions were reported with the rented airplane. The impact dented the airplane's left wing and bent its fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2539D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2539D-2010-04-07), registration cancelled 2010-04-07, S/N 38-79A0360, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0360 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mazzei Flying Service - Registered owner: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: FAT, Fresno, CA - Destination: MPI, Mariposa, CA - Airport: MPI, Mariposa-Yosemite, runway 26, 3,306 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 236 total, 187 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °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 20070511006679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070511006679A), May 11, 2007: Piper PA38112, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command was taxiing the aircraft back to the runway after landing and decided to take his shirt off over his head because he was hot. During… ## Other investigations on N2539D (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR10LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA074), Dec 8, 2009: Piper PA-38-112 (N2539D), Fresno, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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.