# NTSB WPR20CA087: Piper PA28, N8408E, Santa Barbara, CA, January 12, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 11, 2020, 20:10 local (Jan 12, 2020, 04:10 UTC) - Place: Santa Barbara, CA - Coordinates: 34.432777, -119.834724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4328&lon=-119.8347&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100908/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100908 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night. ## 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-28-161, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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-28-161, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, upon receiving clearance to taxi from air traffic control, he proceeded to taxi onto what he thought was the centerline of the taxiway in nighttime conditions. During the taxi, the airplane suddenly turned right. The pilot stopped the airplane and thought something on the ground had made "the wheel turn." He looked at the right wing but noticed nothing abnormal. After the airplane was airborne, the pilot saw that part of the right wingtip was separated. The pilot continued the flight and landed uneventfully at his destination. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing had sustained substantive structural damage. A portion of the airplane's right wingtip was found underneath a damaged wing on an unoccupied airplane that was parked adjacent to the taxiway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that upon receiving clearance to taxi from air traffic control, he proceeded to taxi onto what he thought was the centerline of taxiway Charlie in nighttime conditions. During the taxi, the airplane suddenly turned to the right. The pilot stated he stopped the airplane and thought something on the ground made "the wheel turn" and he looked at the right wing, noting nothing abnormal. He added that after they were airborne, he saw that part of the right wingtip was separated. The pilot continued the flight and landed uneventfully at his destination.Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was structurally damaged. A portion of the accident airplanes right wingtip was located underneath a damaged wing on an unoccupied airplane that was parked adjacent to taxiway Charlie at the departure airport. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8408E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8408E), registered now, S/N 28-8116259, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116259 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 18991 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 2019, 32 hours before - Departed: SBA, Santa Barbara, CA - Destination: LBG, Long Beach, CA - Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara Muni - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 104.3 total, 28 in this make and model, 43.2 as pilot in command, 36.9 in the last 90 days, 20.7 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 213.1 total, 93.6 in this make and model, 108.1 as pilot in command, 70.9 in the last 90 days, 26.6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSBA, 1 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 20200111003531A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200111003531A), Jan 11, 2020: Piper PA-28-161, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft taxied into parked G280 on ramp. The pilot stated that it was dark and he had difficulty seeing the taxiway markings. The aircraft tookoff with damage… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100908. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481100&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.