# NTSB WPR20LA324: Pilatus PC-12/47E, N1220A, Lake Abert, OR, September 15, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 14, 2020, 19:30 local (Sep 15, 2020, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Abert, OR
- Coordinates: 42.661111, -120.22972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6611&lon=-120.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102061/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102061
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA324

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during the takeoff ground roll due to inadequate monitoring of the environment.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/47E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7090553), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/47E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7090553), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/47E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7090553), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1220A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1220A), registered now, S/N 1568, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pilatus Aircraft PC-12/47E
- Registry model: [Pilatus PC-12/47E](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-47e) (registry code 7090553) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67p) (registry code 52292, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1568
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 1170
- Engines: P&W Canada PT6A-67P turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rivers End Ranch LLC
- Registered owner: Rivers End Ranch LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: n/a, Private, runway 360, 3,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: LKV, 32 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).

- [Incident 20200915016089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200915016089I), Sep 15, 2020: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47E, Lakeview, OR, Minor damage. Pilot was turning around the end of the runway to begin takeoff roll. The pilot made a left turn to line up with runway. As the aircraft turned and powered for…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102061. 629 KB in all.

- Pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11818120&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20pilot-Rel.pdf
- Record of memorandum - regarding NTSB pilot/operator 6120.1 form (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11802990&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROM%206120-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11435312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ax%20photos-Rel.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.

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