# NTSB LAX85LA258: Piper PA-28-160, Phoenix, AZ, May 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1985, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429004, -112.010093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4290&lon=-112.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA258

## 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
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - throttle/power control - excessive, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - delayed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE ACFT & THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD TAXIED IT FROM THE LEFT SEAT. THIS PLT TAXIED FROM THE PARKING RAMP UP A SLIGHT GRADE AN ACROSS A TAXIWAY. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN HE 'LOOKED UP', HE OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD A HANGAR. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO QUICKLY TURN THE ACFT BUT IT COLLIDED WITH THE HANGAR. EXAM OF THE BRAKES REVEALED THAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF WORKING FOLLOWING THE COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5O17W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-18
- Airframe hours: 2223
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robin F. Helton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Airport: Sky Harbor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 32 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

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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