# NTSB LAX90LA036: Piper PA-31-350, N4098A, Ontario, CA, October 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1989, 06:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Ontario, CA
- Coordinates: 34.020622, -117.580314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0206&lon=-117.5803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA036

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-31.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES BY THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-31.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

BOTH COMPANY AIRCRAFT WERE HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, WITH THE ENGINES RUNNING, AWAITING THEIR SEPERATE TAKEOFF CLEARANCES. BEECH C-99, N1088X, WAS AHEAD OF PIPER PA-31-350, N4098A. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-31-350 STATED THAT HIS FOOD SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIS AIRCRAFT ROLLED FORWARD, STRIKING THE EMPENNAGE OF THE BEECH C-99.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

BOTH COMPANY AIRCRAFT WERE HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, WITH THE ENGINES RUNNING, AWAITING THEIR SEPERATE TAKEOFF CLEARANCES. BEECH C-99, N108SX, WAS AHEAD OF PIPER PA-31-350, N4098A. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-31-350 STATED THAT HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIS AIRCRAFT ROLLED FORWARD, STRIKING THE EMPENNAGE OF THE BEECH C-99.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4098A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4098A), registered now, S/N 31-8152200, built 1981 (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: 318152200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Ameriflight
- Departed: ONT
- Destination: IYK, INYOKERN, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ONT, Ontario

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N108SX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N108SX), registered now, S/N U-184, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-99
- Registry model: [Beech C-99](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-99) (registry code 1154006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-series) (registry code 61508, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U184
- Engines: P&W PT6A-36 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ameriflight, Inc
- Departed: ONT
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ONT, Ontario

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4098A; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,780 total, 50 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N108SX; age 31; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,880 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891025059011A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891025059011A), Oct 25, 1989: Piper PA31350, Ontario, CA, Substantial damage. Stopped on taxiway behind company N108SX. Foot slipped off brake. Ran into empennage of C99. Both waiting takeoff.
- [Accident 19891025059012A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891025059012A), Oct 25, 1989: Beech C99, Ontario, CA, Substantial damage. Waiting takeoff was struck from rear by company N4098A that had stopped behind. Pilot says foot slipped off brake.

## Other investigations on N4098A (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 LAX08LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA080), Mar 20, 2008: Piper PA-31-350 (N4098A), Portland, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of company maintenance personnel to install the upper pivot bolt through the pivot hole in the upper end of the landing gear actuating rod, and the company maintenance inspector's…

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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