# NTSB MIA01LA195: Piper PA-28R, N47839, Orlando, FL, July 26, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2001, 08:25 local (12:25 UTC) - Place: Orlando, FL - Coordinates: 28.489879, -81.290084 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4899&lon=-81.2901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52839 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52839/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA195 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper visual lookout, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with a fence. ## 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 - fence - visual lookout - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was taxiing to park and a visual illusion caused the fence to blend into its background and other fence behind it. He said he was distracted, and did not make a specific check of the wingtip to ensure proper clearance, and the right wing of the aircraft collided with a fence, causing damage to a rib in the wing. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2001, about 0825 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R, N47839, registered to and operated by B.G. Chipmunks, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence during taxi operations, at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Sanford, Florida, the same day, about 0730. The pilot stated that he had just landed the aircraft, and was taxiing to park and pick up an examiner for a checkride. He said as he was taxiing he noted another aircraft in the second, western most parking space, and he was maintaining proper clearance with this aircraft. He said he noted the fence, a fire hydrant and an electrical box, all bordering the ramp, and began to turn the aircraft so as to end the taxi turn west of the other aircraft, facing north, which would have required a 270-degree turn. He said he began the turn facing west, and at about the 45-degree point into the turn, a visual illusion "caused the fence to blend into its background and the other fence behind it." He said he "lost his depth perception reference of distance from it, and had become distracted by the lack of any taxi markings, the fire hydrant, the power box, and the other aircraft, and he had failed to make a specific check of the wingtip, until he felt a bump, as if the aircraft had ran over a small rock, or stick." He said he immediately stopped the aircraft, scanned everywhere to see what had happened, and noted the wing tip pressed up against the fence, at about a 20-degree angle. According to the pilot, a rib in the right wing was damaged as a result, and there had been no mechanical malfunction to the aircraft, or to any of its system, prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47839](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47839), registered now, S/N 28R-7837006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7837006 - Airframe hours: 2990 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: B.G. Chipmunks, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 11, 2001, 31 hours before - Departed: SFB, Sanford, FL - Destination: MCO, Orlando, FL - Airport: MCO, Orlando International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 209 total, 28 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: MCO ## 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 20010726023259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010726023259A), Jul 26, 2001: Piper PA28R201, Orlando, FL, No damage. (-23) While maneuvering the aircraft into the parking space on the ramp, the pilots misjudged his distance form the fence bordering the west side of the ramp.… ## Other investigations on N47839 (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 FTW95LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA139), Mar 18, 1995: Piper PA-28R-201 (N47839), Devine, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADVERTENT OPENING OF AN UNAPPROVED QUICK OIL DRAIN INSTALLED BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. 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.