# NTSB WPR24LA283: Piper PA-32-300, N56631, Fallbrook, CA, August 9, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 9, 2024, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Fallbrook, CA - Coordinates: 33.355911, -117.25031 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3559&lon=-117.2503&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194958/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194958 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA283 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during taxi operations. ## 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: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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-32-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while taxiing, the path leading to the taxiway had a series of abrupt turns. He misjudged one of the turns and struck a 10-inch rectangular steel post with the left main gear. The airplane momentarily lifted and then dropped onto the left wing. He immediately stopped the airplane and shut down the engine. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained spar damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56631](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56631), registered now, S/N 32-7440010, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7440010 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 7439 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIAS 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2024, 16 hours before - Airport: L18, Fallbrook Community Airpark - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,640 total, 240 in this make and model, 3,640 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KOKB, 10 nm away - METAR: KOKB 231952Z AUTO 24010KT 8SM CLR 25/16 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP146 T02500161 ## 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 20240809013119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240809013119A), Aug 9, 2024: Piper PA-32-300, Fallbrook, CA, Substantial damage. During taxi with intent for flight, the pilot failed to control the aircraft and hit a concrete post with the left landing gear causing substantial damage to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194958. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17728460&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18353168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-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. --- 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.