# NTSB MIA85FA215: Piper PA-32-260, N3714W, San Juan, PR, July 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1985, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA215

## 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAXIING NORTHBOUND ON THE NORTH-SOUTH TAXIWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING WESTBOUND ALONG THE EAST-WEST ACCESS ROAD. THE ACCESS ROAD IS A DESIGNATED NON-MOVEMENT AREA UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PUERTO RICO PORT AUTHORITY. THE PLT STATED HE NEVER SAW THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE COMING FROM THE EAST. THE CONTROL GUARD STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AT THE STOP SIGN LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE TAXIWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3714W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-627
- Airframe hours: 2672
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Flemenco Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flemenco Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 27, 1985, 27 hours before
- Departed: SJU
- Destination: SIG, SAN JUAN, PR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SJU, Luis Munox Marin

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,400 total, 5,200 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU

## 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 19850718072729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850718072729A), Jul 18, 1985: Piper PA32260, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. While taxiing for takeoff under ATC control a vehicle struck front of aircraft. Driver did not stop at stop sign.

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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