# NTSB SEA08LA015: Piper PA-28-181, N309PA, Phoenix, AZ, October 30, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 2007, 08:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.688331, -112.082496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66994/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA015 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the solo student pilot operating the other airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing for takeoff. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The solo student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the other airplane while taxiing for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The first airplane was in the run up area adjacent to taxiway C1 at the end of runway 07. The second airplane was holding short of runway 07 on taxiway C1, in front of the first airplane. The local controller asked the solo student pilot of the first airplane if he was on taxiway C2, and the student pilot erroneously responded that he was on C2. The controller cleared the first airplane for takeoff. The student pilot taxied forward and attempted to maneuver around the second airplane in order to reach the runway. The right wing of the first airplane passed under the left wing of the second airplane and then contacted the propeller of the second airplane. Contact with the propeller severed the outboard 1 foot of the right wing of the first airplane. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The first airplane was in the run up area adjacent to taxiway C1 at the end of runway 07. The second airplane was holding short of runway 07 on taxiway C1, in front of the first airplane. The local controller asked the solo student pilot of the first airplane if he was on taxiway C2, and the student pilot erroneously responded that he was on C2. The controller cleared the first airplane for takeoff. The student pilot taxied forward and attempted to maneuver around the second airplane in order to reach the runway. The right wing of the first airplane passed under the left wing of the second airplane and then contacted the propeller of the second airplane. Contact with the propeller severed the outboard 1 foot of the right wing of the first airplane. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 30, 2007, about 0841 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N309PA, was taxiing for takeoff when it collided with a second Piper PA-28-181, N923PA, that was standing with its engine operating at Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The first PA-28, N309PA, sustained substantial damage, and the second PA-28, N923PA, sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the student pilot, the sole occupant of the first PA-28, or to the flight instructor and student pilot, the two occupants of the second PA-28. Both airplanes were being operated by Pan Am International Flight Academy of Phoenix as instructional flights under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the planned local flights, which were originating when the accident occurred. Information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the scene of the accident and the pilots of both airplanes indicated that the first PA-28 was in the run up area adjacent to taxiway C1 at the end of runway 07. The second PA-28 was holding short of runway 07 on taxiway C1, in front of the first PA-28. The local controller asked the student pilot of the first PA-28 if he was on taxiway C2, and the student pilot responded that he was on C2. The controller cleared the first PA-28 for takeoff. The student pilot taxied forward and attempted to maneuver around the second PA-28 in order to reach the runway. The right wing of the first PA-28 passed under the left wing of the second PA-28 and then contacted the propeller of the second PA-28. Contact with the propeller severed the outboard 1 foot of the right wing of the first PA-28. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 30, 2007, about 0841 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N309PA, was taxiing for takeoff when it collided with a second Piper PA-28-181, N923PA, that was standing with its engine operating at Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The first PA-28, N309PA, sustained substantial damage, and the second PA-28, N923PA, sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the student pilot, the sole occupant of the first PA-28, or to the flight instructor and student pilot, the two occupants of the second PA-28. Both airplanes were being operated by Pan Am International Flight Academy of Phoenix as instructional flights under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the planned local flights, which were originating when the accident occurred. Information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the scene of the accident and the pilots of both airplanes indicated that the first PA-28 was in the run up area adjacent to taxiway C1 at the end of runway 07. The second PA-28 was holding short of runway 07 on taxiway C1, in front of the first PA-28. The local controller asked the student pilot of the first PA-28 if he was on taxiway C2, and the student pilot responded that he was on C2. The controller cleared the first PA-28 for takeoff. The student pilot taxied forward and attempted to maneuver around the second PA-28 in order to reach the runway. The right wing of the first PA-28 passed under the left wing of the second PA-28 and then contacted the propeller of the second PA-28. Contact with the propeller severed the outboard 1 foot of the right wing of the first PA-28. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N309PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N309PA), registered now, S/N 2843508, built 2002 (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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843508 - Airframe hours: 6223 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pan Am International Flight Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 1, 2007 - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: DVT - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N923PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N923PA-2019-01-25), registration cancelled 2019-01-25, S/N 2843277, built 1999 (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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843277 - Airframe hours: 7007 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pan Am International Flight Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 1, 2007 - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: DVT - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N309PA; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor, aircraft N923PA; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 850 total, 554 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N923PA; age 25; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20071030827801A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071030827801A), Oct 30, 2007: Piper PA28181, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Both N309PA & N923PA were in the runup area, holding short at the end of runway 74, preparing for takeoff at dvt. The student pilot of N309PA was… - [Accident 20071030827962A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071030827962A), Oct 30, 2007: Piper PA28181, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Both N309PA & N923PA were in the runup area, holding short at the end of runway 74, preparing for takeoff at dvt. The student pilot of N309PA was… ## Other investigations on N309PA (2) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA166), Feb 27, 2017: Piper PA28 (N309PA), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s incorrect control inputs while taking off with a known quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion. - [NTSB WPR12CA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA380), Aug 30, 2012: Piper PA-28-181 (N309PA), Wickenburg, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s delayed response in correcting the student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.