# NTSB LAX90LA100: Piper PA-34-200, N222ES, Fresno, CA, February 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1990, 17:00 local (Feb 21, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640117, -119.910171 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6401&lon=-119.9102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT TAXIED DOWN A SMALL INCLINE ON THE APRON AND DRAGGED THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT THEN TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND, PROCEEDED BACK UP THE INCLINE, STRIKING THE TAIL SECTION AGAIN. PILOT DID NOT SUBMIT AN ACCIDENT REPORT; WEIGHT & BALANCE DATA UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222ES](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222ES-2001-04-14), registration cancelled 2001-04-14, S/N 34-7250331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250331
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Western Aero, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: FAT, Fresno

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT

## 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 19900220002509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900220002509A), Feb 20, 1990: Piper PA34200, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Drug tail and prop strikes taxiing for takeoff. Turned to go back and more damage crossing the depression.

## Other investigations on N222ES (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 LAX01FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA004), Oct 7, 2000: Piper PA-34-200 (N222ES), San Dimas, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilots becoming lost and disoriented during an improperly conducted IFR approach, and subsequent missed approach, that led to a collision with rising mountainous terrain. Also causal was the…

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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