# NTSB NYC90LA154: Piper PA-31-350, N35551, Washington, PA, July 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Washington, PA
- Coordinates: 40.169147, -80.239776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1691&lon=-80.2398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA154

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBJECTS WHILE TAXIING, AND HIS VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS INADEQUATE.

## 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)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING FOR A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH 9 PASSENGERS WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A BEVERAGE STAND LOCATED BESIDE THE TAXIWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS GIVING HIS PASSENGERS A PRE-TAKEOFF BRIEFING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TAXIWAY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CLOSED FOR AN AIRSHOW AND WAS REOPENED AFTER THE AIRSHOW. THE FAA SAID THE STAND WAS LOCATED 20 FT 2 IN FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE TAXIWAY. THE AIRPLANE HAS A 40 FT 8 IN WING SPAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35551](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35551-2012-02-07), registration cancelled 2012-02-07, S/N 31-8052063 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052063
- Airframe hours: 3826
- Engines: LYCOMING TFO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Castle Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1990, 2 hours before
- Airport: AFJ, Washington

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; 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: 6,000 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19900708024879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708024879A), Jul 8, 1990: Piper PA31350, Washington, PA, Substantial damage. Wing struck an airshow pop stand while taxiing for takeoff

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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