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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 1, 1997 · Piper PA-30 · N64TD

Sarasota, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N64TD
Operator
George Carter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA080

The pilot had just landed at the private airport with the owner of the airplane. After landing the owner told the pilot to taxi back on the runway to his place that was off the other end of the runway. The pilot stated that he exited the runway on a grass taxiway that led into an 'aviation community.' The owner advised the pilot of various obstacles such as mailboxes and trees. When they got to the airplane owner's house/hangar, the owner got out, and pilot taxied back to the runway. The pilot made a wrong turn and was attempting to maneuver around a mailbox on one side of the airplane when the wing on the other side struck a tree and separated from the spar.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.

Full Narrative

On February 1, 1997, about 1300 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-30, N64TD, registered to Raptor Leasing Inc., was substantially damaged while taxiing, near Sarasota, Florida. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at Lakeland, Florida, at 1230, and was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot had just landed at the private airport with the owner of the airplane. After landing, the owner told the pilot to taxi back on the runway to his place that was off the other end of the runway. The pilot stated that he exited the runway on a grass taxiway that led into an "aviation community." The owner advised the pilot of various obstacles such as mailboxes and trees. When they got to the airplane owner's house/hanger, the owner got out, and the pilot taxied back to the runway. The pilot made a wrong turn and was attempting to maneuver around a mailbox on one side of the airplane, when the wing on the other side struck a tree and separated from the spar.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest AirportHidden River (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2600 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN64TD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGeorge Carter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data