# NTSB LAX99LA127: Piper PA-28-181, N4188E, Scottsdale, AZ, March 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1999, 17:25 local (Mar 22, 1999, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.609119, -111.890365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6091&lon=-111.8904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45950/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA127 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the local and ground controller to coordinate the clearances of both aircraft and to maintain separation of the traffic in the taxiway movement area. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the local and ground controller to coordinate the clearances of both aircraft and to maintain separation of the traffic in the taxiway movement area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - light condition - daylight - object - aircraft moving on ground - atc clearance - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - traffic advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - light condition - daylight - object - aircraft moving on ground - atc clearance - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - traffic advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Piper PA-28-181, and a Rockwell NA-265-80, Sabreliner, collided on a taxiway parallel to the runway while taxing to their respective parking locations. Both aircraft had just landed on runway 21 and were in contact with the ATCT. The Piper was issued a clearance to taxi by the ground controller, and the Sabreliner had turned off the runway and was issued a taxi clearance by the local controller. The Piper exited the runway at taxiway A11, and contacted ground control. A taxi clearance was issued by the controller to proceed southbound on taxiway alpha to parking. The controller did not advise the pilot of any traffic entering the taxiway from the runway. At the time the ground controller issued the taxi clearance to the Piper, the Sabreliner was given a landing clearance by the local controller. The Sabreliner slowed and was preparing to turn off the runway at A7; however, the local controller inquired where the aircraft was parking and subsequently told the crew to taxi forward on the runway, turn off at A5 and taxi to parking, and to monitor ground. As the pilot of The Piper approached the intersection of A5, she observed the Sabreliner exiting runway 21 and continued taxiing because it appeared that the Sabreliner was stopping and no other instructions were issued by the ground controller. When the Piper reached the intersection she realized the Sabreliner wasn't stopping and attempted to turn right and avoid the aircraft. The left wing of the Piper struck the forward avionics bay of the Sabreliner. The local controller did not advise the crew of the Sabreliner of any traffic on the taxiway. The crew said they turned off runway 21 on A5 and the first officer was looking down at the pedestal changing radio frequencies just as they crossed the hold bars. The crew reported that they did not see the Piper on taxiway alpha. Review of the air-to-ground communications tapes disclosed that neither of the controllers issued traffic information or hold short instructions to either aircraft. FAA Order 7110.65 specifically states that local controllers and ground controllers shall exchange information as necessary for the safe and efficient use of airport runways and movement areas. Local controllers and ground controllers shall protect any runway/taxiway/ramp intersection if an aircraft is required to enter that intersection to clear the landing runway. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Piper PA-28-181, and a Rockwell NA-265-80, Sabreliner, collided on a taxiway parallel to the runway while taxing to their respective parking locations. Both aircraft had just landed on runway 21 and were in contact with the ATCT. The Piper was issued a clearance to taxi by the ground controller, and the Sabreliner had turned off the runway and was issued a taxi clearance by the local controller. The Piper exited the runway at taxiway A11, and contacted ground control. A taxi clearance was issued by the controller to proceed southbound on taxiway alpha to parking. The controller did not advise the pilot of any traffic entering the taxiway from the runway. At the time the ground controller issued the taxi clearance to the Piper, the Sabreliner was given a landing clearance by the local controller. The Sabreliner slowed and was preparing to turn off the runway at A7; however, the local controller inquired where the aircraft was parking and subsequently told the crew to taxi forward on the runway, turn off at A5 and taxi to parking, and to monitor ground. As the pilot of The Piper approached the intersection of A5, she observed the Sabreliner exiting runway 21 and continued taxiing because it appeared that the Sabreliner was stopping and no other instructions were issued by the ground controller. When the Piper reached the intersection she realized the Sabreliner wasn't stopping and attempted to turn right and avoid the aircraft. The left wing of the Piper struck the forward avionics bay of the Sabreliner. The local controller did not advise the crew of the Sabreliner of any traffic on the taxiway. The crew said they turned off runway 21 on A5 and the first officer was looking down at the pedestal changing radio frequencies just as they crossed the hold bars. The crew reported that they did not see the Piper on taxiway alpha. Review of the air-to-ground communications tapes disclosed that neither of the controllers issued traffic information or hold short instructions to either aircraft. FAA Order 7110.65 specifically states that local controllers and ground controllers shall exchange information as necessary for the safe and efficient use of airport runways and movement areas. Local controllers and ground controllers shall protect any runway/taxiway/ramp intersection if an aircraft is required to enter that intersection to clear the landing runway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR LAX99LA127A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On March 21, 1999, at 1725 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N4188E, and a Rockwell International NA-265-80, N818DW, collided on taxiway alpha while taxing to their respective parking locations at the Scottsdale, Arizona, airport. Both aircraft had just landed on runway 21 and were in contact with the Scottsdale Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Tower. The Piper PA-28-181 was issued a clearance to taxi by the ground controller, and the Rockwell NA-265-80 had turned off the runway and was issued a taxi clearance by the local controller. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The Piper PA-28-181 was owned and operated by Sabena Airline Training Center of Scottsdale as a local area solo instructional flight, which originated at the Scottsdale airport about 1615. The Rockwell NA-265-80 was owned and operated by DW Holdings, LLC, of Sparta, New Jersey, and was concluding a cross-country corporate flight, which originated from Kansas City, Kansas, at 1723 central standard time. An IFR flight plan was filed for the Rockwell's flight and no flight plan was on file for the Piper. Both aircraft were operating under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The Piper PA-28-181 sustained substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The Rockwell NA-265-80 sustained minor damage and neither the airline transport pilot captain, the commercial pilot first officer, nor the three passengers were injured. The student pilot of N4188E reported that she landed on runway 21, exited at taxiway A11, and contacted ground control. A taxi clearance was issued by the controller to proceed southbound on taxiway alpha to parking. The controller did not advise her of any traffic entering the taxiway. As she approached the intersection of A5, she observed a Sabreliner exiting runway 21. She stated that she continued taxiing because it appeared that the Sabreliner was stopping, and the ground controller issued no other instructions to her. When N4188E reached the intersection of taxiway alpha and A5, the pilot realized the Sabreliner wasn't stopping and attempted to turn right and avoid the aircraft. The left wing of the Piper PA-28 struck the forward avionics bay of N818DW and became entangled in the structure. The Piper-28 was shoved 180 degrees to the left and the left wing was torn off as the Sabreliner moved forward. The fuel lines from both fuel tanks of the Piper PA-28 were severed resulting in a fuel spill on the taxiway. The pilot shut the aircraft off immediately. The crew of N818DW stated they landed on runway 21 and slowed to turn off at A7. The local controller then asked them their parking intentions. Following the crew's response, the local controller instructed them to taxi forward on the runway, turn right on A5, taxi to the ramp, and monitor the ground control frequency. The controller did not advise the crew of any traffic on the taxiway. The crew said they turned off runway 21 on A5, and the first officer was looking down at the pedestal changing radio frequencies just as they crossed the hold bars. The crew reported that they did not see the Piper PA-28 on taxiway alpha. The crew of N818DW informed the ground controller of the accident and requested to taxi clear of the area. The ground controller instructed N818DW to taxi to its respective parking area. After review of the control tower frequency voice recordings and controller statements, N4188E was issued a taxi clearance for parking by ground control at 1722. N818DW was issued a landing clearance for runway 21 at 1722 and a taxi clearance for parking at 1723 by local control. According to the local controller's statement, they coordinated with the ground controller to taxi N818DW for parking prior to issuing the taxi clearance. At 1724, N818DW informed ground control that their nose was struck by the wing of N4188E. There is no indication on the tower frequency voice recordings that the controllers issued traffic information or hold short instructions to the aircraft they were in communications with. Federal Aviation Administration Order 7110.65 specifically states that local controllers and ground controllers shall exchange information as necessary for the safe and efficient use of airport runways and movement areas. Local controllers and ground controllers shall protect any runway/taxiway/ramp intersection if an aircraft is required to enter that intersection to clear the landing runway. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4188E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4188E-2013-07-26), registration cancelled 2013-07-26, S/N 2843212, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-43212 - Airframe hours: 192 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sabena Airline Training Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 13, 1999, 46 hours before - Departed: SDL - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Airport, runway 21, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N818DW (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Rockwell NA-265-80 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 380-030 - Airframe hours: 8179 - Engines: GE CF700-2D2 4500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dw Holdings, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, November 6, 1999, 96 hours before - Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, KS - Destination: SDL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Airport, runway 21, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4188E; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 53 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N818DW; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,396 total, 2,984 in this make and model, 3,316 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SDL ## 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 19990321002291A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990321002291A), Mar 21, 1999: Piper PA28181, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft landed and was taxiing on twy a when it collided with N818DW, a rockwell NA-265 acft, which landed and turned onto A5, N4188E has substantial… - [Accident 19990321018881A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990321018881A), Mar 21, 1999: Rkwell NA26580, Scottsdale, AZ, Minor damage. (.19) See narrative for LAX99LA127A collided on taxiway with N4188E Piper PA-28-181 (-23) according to conversation with pilots of both aircraft each aircraft… ## Other investigations on N4188E (2) 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 WPR12FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA420), Sep 13, 2012: Piper PA-28-181 (N4188E), Strawberry, AZ, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising… - [NTSB LAX01LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA122), Mar 20, 2001: Piper PA-28-181 (N4188E), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the CFI to properly supervise the flight and the failure of the dual studen to maintain flying airspeed. A contributing factor was the wind shear encountered. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.