Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28 near Santa Barbara, CA — 2020-01-12

Final reportWPR20CA087
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Date
2020-01-12
Location
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Airport
SBA
Aircraft
Piper PA28
Registration
N8408E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night.

NTSB 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 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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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