# NTSB MIA95LA076: Piper PA-30, N8778Y, Miami, FL, February 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1995, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.930925, -80.139961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9309&lon=-80.1400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA076

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE TRUCK DRIVER TO FOLLOW AIRPORT OPERATIONS PROCEDURES AND SIGNS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - vehicle
  - airport operations - not followed, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD LANDED AND WAS TAXIING TO PARK, TRAVELING NORTH ON A TAXIWAY. A TRUCK WAS DRIVING WEST ON AN INTERSECTING TAXIWAY WITH A PAINTED STOP SIGN ON THE GROUND. THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP AND COLLIDED WITH THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On February 11, 1995, about 1135 eastern standard time, N8778Y, a Piper PA-30 was struck by a vehicle on taxi after landing at Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot, Malcolm Zimet, and was completing a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and one passenger were not injured. The truck was damaged and the driver reported minor injuries. The flight originated from San Salvador, Bahamas, about 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.

Initial examination of the airplane by local FAA inspectors revealed damage to the airplane right wing, fuel tank, and ribs. The truck was traveling west and the airplane was taxiing north. Examination of the taxiway intersection revealed painted stop letters on the vehicular driving lane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8778Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8778Y), registered now, S/N 30-1934, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1942
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Zimetm Malcolm
- Registered owner: Heavy Duty Enterprise Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYS, SAN SALVADOR IS, OF
- Destination: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MIA, Miami International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA

## 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 19950211003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950211003189A), Feb 11, 1995: Piper PA30, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. During taxi to ramp was struck by a ground vehicle at intersection of service road and taxiway. Driver failed yield

## Other investigations on N8778Y (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 LAX72FUJ37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUJ37), Aug 13, 1971: Piper PA-30 (N8778Y), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage

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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