# NTSB SEA88LA030: Piper PA-23-160, N3275P, Aurora, OR, December 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1987, 16:10 local (Dec 12, 1987, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, OR
- Coordinates: 45.229969, -122.800529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2300&lon=-122.8005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA030

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - window - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE RAMP AREA TO THE RUNWAY. A TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE TAXIWAY IN FRONT OF THE SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT FROM THE RIGHT OF THE TAXIWAY. THE SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT THAT HAD TAXIED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT HAD A FOGGED WINDSCREEN.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3275P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3275P-1990-03-27), registration cancelled 1990-03-27, S/N 231220 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 543704394
- Airframe hours: 2820
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mel Deegan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 1987
- Destination: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR
- Airport: 3S2, Aurora State

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N2884G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2884G-1989-08-10), registration cancelled 1989-08-10, S/N 287916505 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916505
- Airframe hours: 2430
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: RSB, ROSEBURG, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3S2, Aurora State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N3275P; age 28; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,244 total, 78 in this make and model, 4,974 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N2884G; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 139 in this make and model, 399 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 3S2

## 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 19871211081552A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871211081552A), Dec 11, 1987: Piper PA23160, Aurora, OR, Substantial damage. Entered taxiway in front of a cherokee N2884G taxiing for takeoff and was hit in the side. Neither was the other.
- [Accident 19871211081551A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871211081551A), Dec 11, 1987: Piper PA28161, Aurora, OR, Substantial damage. Taxied into the side of an apache N3275P who had entered from the ramp. Heavy dew had fogged up windshield.

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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