# NTSB SEA04LA195: Piper PA-28-181, N43779, Seattle, WA, September 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 2004, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.531944, -122.305557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5319&lon=-122.3056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60261 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60261/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA195 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the parked airplane while taxiing. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. ## 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 - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - aircraft parked/standing - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Not familiar with the area where his airplane was parked, the pilot reviewed the airport diagram and taxiways. Still unfamiliar with the taxiway entrances, he elected to maneuver through the parking area and then request access to the taxiway. As he taxied toward the taxiway entrance, and noticing another airplane parked close to his taxi path, he braked to avoid the airplane. As a result of applying too much left brake, the outboard section of the airplane's left wing sustained structural damage after impacting the parked airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 2004, at 1535 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N43779, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI), Seattle, Washington. The airplane is registered to Wings Aircraft LLC of Snohomish, Washington, and operated by Puget Sound Aviators of Seattle, Washington. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned personal flight, which was to be operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he was not familiar with the area where his airplane was parked. After reviewing the airport diagram and taxiways, he noted that taxiway Bravo 8 (B8) at BFI was a marked entrance to the taxiway [taxiway B]. The pilot stated that as he was unfamiliar with other taxiway entrances (unmarked entrances), he chose to maneuver through the parking area to request entrance to [the] taxiway [at] B8. The pilot further stated that he turned left out of his parking area and proceeded north toward B8, but "...noted another aircraft parked close to my left leading edge." The pilot reported that as he approached to pass the other airplane he applied braking, being concerned that he had misjudged his clearance. The pilot stated, "In doing so I applied too much left brake, striking my left wing's leading edge with the parked aircraft." A post accident examination revealed that the outboard section of the left wing had sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43779](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43779), registered now, S/N 28-7890014, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7890014 - Airframe hours: 3950.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Puget Sound Aviators - Registered owner: Wings Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2004 - Departed: BFI, Seattle, WA - Destination: BFI, Seattle, WA - Airport: BFI, Boeing Field/King County Int. ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 24, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 718 total, 23 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,982 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: BFI ## 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 20040920035529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040920035529A), Sep 20, 2004: Piper PA28181, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 20, 2004 at approximately 15:35 PST, aircraft N43779 piloted by [privacy data omitted] was taxiing out of its tie-down and moving toward… 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.