# NTSB LAX89LA147: Piper PA-31-350, N59973, Salinas, CA, April 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1989, 15:57 local (23:57 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.71907, -121.629562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7191&lon=-121.6296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA147

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TAXIWAY ALIGNMENT, WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION, WHILE TAXIING. THE LOCATION OF THE PARKED AIRCRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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 - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO SET THE TRANSPONDER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE TAXIWAY & COLLIDED WITH A PARKED UNOCCUPIED AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59973](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59973-2025-08-20), registration cancelled 2025-08-20, S/N 31-7552079, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552079
- Airframe hours: 5256
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Ameriflight
- Registered owner: Ameriflight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 17, 1989, 39 hours before
- Destination: 307, HOLLISTER, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SNS, Salinas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,897 total, 85 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890404005749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890404005749A), Apr 4, 1989: Piper PA31350, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with a parked aircraft while taxiing for takeoff. Had diverted his attention to set transponder.

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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