# NTSB LAX90LA255: Piper PA28-236, N8442A, S. Lake Tahoe, CA, July 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: S. Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.8939° N, 119.9953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKE TAHOE (TVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA255

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT AND AN OBSTRUCTION ALONG HIS GROUND TAXI ROUTE. OBSTRUCTIONS ALONG THE ROUTE AND A FENCE CONSTRUCTED NEAR THE RAMP ARE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 - fence (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LOADING HIS PASSENGERS, THE PILOT BEGAN HIS TAXI TO THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. HE TOOK A DIRECT ROUTE TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND TAXIED OFF THE TAXIWAY MARKINGS AND IMPACTED A WOODEN FENCE THAT ENCLOSES A FUEL FARM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8442A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8442A), registered now, S/N 28-8211006, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8211006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navajo Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: TVL
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TVL, Lake Tahoe

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,574 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,081 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TVL

## 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 19900701025859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701025859A), Jul 1, 1990: Piper PA28236, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. Taxied across restricted area into airline ramp and wing struck a fuel farm fence.

## Other investigations on N8442A (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 CHI02LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA137), May 19, 2002: Piper PA-28-236 (N8442A), Angola, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor to the accident was the soft terrain condition.

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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