# NTSB LAX88LA186: Piper PA-34-200T, N66SL, Merced, CA, May 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1988, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.350265, -120.419502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3503&lon=-120.4195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA186

## 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 - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING ON A DIRT ROAD, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66SL-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 34-8070038, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348070038
- Airframe hours: 3631
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Shasta Livestock
- Registered owner: Shasta Livestock Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: RDD, REDDING, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,481 total, 815 in this make and model, 1,371 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## Other investigations on N66SL (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 LAX91LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA067), Jan 7, 1991: Piper PA 34-200T (N66SL), Red Bluff, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO DETECT A DESCENT BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE FOR THE APPROACH IN USE.

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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