# NTSB NYC96LA064: Piper PA-32-300, N8137D, Stratford, CT, February 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1996, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Stratford, CT - Location: 41.1635° N, 73.1262° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRIDGEPORT/SIKORSKY (BDR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1635&lon=-73.1262&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 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39151/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA064 ## Probable cause inadequate visual lookout by the pilot and the vehicle operator, resulting in their failure to see and avoid each other. ## 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 - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause) - object - vehicle ## Analysis The flight had landed and was taxiing to the ramp, in an area that was not visible from the air traffic control tower, when the airplane and a snowplow truck collided. The pilot reported that he had looked to his left in the direction he was going to make a turn, and just as he looked to his right, he saw the truck backing up and then strike the right wing. The truck operator reported that he did not see the aircraft in his sideview mirror as he backed up. He stopped the truck and as he began to go forward, the airplane struck the truck. The collision resulted in the airplane being pushed sideways 6 inches and turned about 90 degrees to the right. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 1996, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8137D, was substantially damaged while taxiing at Sikorsky Airport, Bridgeport, Connecticut. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had landed and was taxiing to the ramp, in an area that was not visible from the control tower, when the aircraft and a snowplow truck collided. The collision involved the right wing of the aircraft and the rear of the truck. According to the police report, the pilot stated he was taxiing through the area, looked to this left because he was going to turn in that direction, and just as he turned to the right, he saw the truck as it was backing up. The truck subsequently struck the airplane. According to the police report, the truck operator had just plowed the fuel station. He backed the truck up, stopped, and as he started to go forward, he was struck by the airplane. According to the FAA, the collision resulted in the airplane being pushed sideways 6 inches and turned 90 degrees to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8137D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8137D), registered now, S/N 32-7940273, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7940273 - Airframe hours: 7239 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Shoreline Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1995, 75 hours before - Departed: ISP, RONKONKOMA, NY - Destination: BDR - Airport: BDR, Sikorsky Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,780 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,654 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 13 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960216002079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960216002079A), Feb 16, 1996: Piper PA32300, Bridgeport, CT, Substantial damage. During taxi to ramp was struck from behind by a snowplow truck. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.