# NTSB WPR10CA451: Piper PA-28-235, N32025, Paradise Lakes Estates, CA, September 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2010, 09:42 local (16:42 UTC) - Place: Paradise Lakes Estates, CA - Coordinates: 35.176666, -118.927223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1767&lon=-118.9272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA451 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during taxi. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the run up area when the right wing collided with a chain link fence. The right wing tip tank caught fire, and the airplane turned to the right, coming to a stop with the nose into the fence. The right wing sustained crush damage and fire damage. About a year before this accident, the airport’s water well had become inoperative, and a new well was installed with the chain link fence around it, closer to the taxiway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fence line (on the right side) to taxiway centerline is 19 feet. The tree line (on the left side) to taxiway centerline is 25 feet. The airplane's total wingspan is 33 feet. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the run up area when the right wing collided with a chain link fence. The right wing tip tank caught fire, and the airplane turned to the right, coming to a stop with the nose into the fence. The right wing sustained crush damage and fire damage. About a year before this accident, the airport’s water well had become inoperative, and a new well was installed with the chain link fence around it, closer to the taxiway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fence line (on the right side) to taxiway centerline is 19 feet. The tree line (on the left side) to taxiway centerline is 25 feet. The airplane's total wingspan is 33 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32025](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32025), registered now, S/N 28-7510008, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7510008 - Airframe hours: 3170 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph R Biafora, Jr - Registered owner: Joseph R Biafora, Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 2009, 50 hours before - Departed: 7CA2, Paradise Lakes Estates, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: 7CA2, Paradise Lake Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,050 total, 700 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 16 nm away ## 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 20100907045709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100907045709A), Sep 7, 2010: Piper PA-28-235, Arvin, CA, Substantial damage. On 09-07-2010 at 0900 PDT, a PA28-235 , N32025 while taxiing from its hanger to the runway struck a fence while on the taxiway. The aircrafts right wingtip… ## Other investigations on N32025 (1) 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 FTW77FPA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPA22), Jul 8, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N32025), Lancaster, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77233. 679 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF 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.