# NTSB MIA97LA080: Piper PA-30, N64TD, Sarasota, FL, February 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1997, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Location: 27.3383° N, 82.5437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarasota, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3383&lon=-82.5437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA080

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.

## Analysis

The pilot had just landed at the private airport with the owner of the airplane.  After landing the owner told the pilot to taxi back on the runway to his place that was off the other end of the runway.  The pilot stated that he exited the runway on a grass taxiway that led into an 'aviation community.'  The owner advised the pilot of various obstacles such as mailboxes and trees.  When they got to the airplane owner's house/hangar, the owner got out, and pilot taxied back to the runway.  The pilot made a wrong turn and was attempting to maneuver around a mailbox on one side of the airplane when the wing on the other side struck a tree and separated from the spar.

## Factual narrative

On February 1, 1997, about 1300 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-30, N64TD, registered to Raptor Leasing Inc., was substantially damaged while taxiing, near Sarasota, Florida.  The commercial-rated pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed.  The personal flight originated at Lakeland, Florida, at 1230, and was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot had just landed at the private airport with the owner of the airplane.  After landing, the owner told the pilot to taxi back on the runway to his place that was off the other end of the runway.  The pilot stated that he exited the runway on a grass taxiway that led into an "aviation community."  The owner advised the pilot of various obstacles such as mailboxes and trees.  When they got to the airplane owner's house/hanger, the owner got out, and the pilot taxied back to the runway.   The pilot made a wrong turn and was attempting to maneuver around a mailbox on one side of the airplane, when the wing on the other side struck a tree and separated from the spar.

## 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 - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64TD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64TD), registered now, S/N 30-170 (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: 30-170
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Carter
- Registered owner: Raptor Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Airport: Hidden River, runway 9, 2,600 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19970201001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970201001119A), Feb 1, 1997: Piper PA30, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. Wing struck a tree taxiing from residence to runway. Impact separated wing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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