# NTSB NYC87LA176: Piper PA-28-180, N4889L, Towanda, PA, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Towanda, PA
- Coordinates: 41.759059, -76.439651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7591&lon=-76.4397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA176

## 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
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE TAYLORCRAFT, N43978, COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL OF PIPER, N4889L WHILE BOTH WERE TAXIING TO RWY 22. THE PLT OF THE TAYLORCRAFT STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING PARALLEL TO THE RWY AND THE PIPER CAME FROM BEHIND AND TO THE LEFT TO CROSS IN FRONT OF HIM. THE PLT OF THE PIPER STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING PARALLEL TO THE RWY WHEN THE TAYLORCRAFT RAN INTO THE RIGHT REAR PART OF HIS ACFT.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

DURING TAXI TO RWY 22 FOR TAKEOFF, PIPER AIRCRAFT N4889L WAS STRUCK IN THE TAIL SECTION BY A TAYLORCRAFT, N43978 AS IT WAS ALSO TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT OF THE TAYLORCRAFT STATED THAT THE PIPER CROSSED IN FRONT OF HIM WHILE THE PILOT OF THE PIPER CLAIMED HE WAS TAXIING PARALLEL TO THE RWY WHEN STRUCK BY THE TAYLORCRAFT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4889L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4889L), registered now, S/N 28-4255, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4255
- Airframe hours: 1495
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew C. Monroe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1987
- Destination: ELM, ELMIRA, NY
- Airport: N27, Towanda, runway 22, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N43978](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43978), registered now, S/N 7637, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7637
- Airframe hours: 592
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: K. W. Kleinendorst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1987
- Airport: N27, Towanda, runway 22, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4889L; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 83 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N43978; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 5 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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