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NTSB Report

September 20, 2004 · Piper PA-28-181 · N43779

Seattle, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Seattle, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N43779
Operator
Puget Sound Aviators
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04LA195

Not familiar with the area where his airplane was parked, the pilot reviewed the airport diagram and taxiways. Still unfamiliar with the taxiway entrances, he elected to maneuver through the parking area and then request access to the taxiway. As he taxied toward the taxiway entrance, and noticing another airplane parked close to his taxi path, he braked to avoid the airplane. As a result of applying too much left brake, the outboard section of the airplane's left wing sustained structural damage after impacting the parked airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the parked airplane while taxiing. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.

Full Narrative

On September 20, 2004, at 1535 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N43779, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI), Seattle, Washington. The airplane is registered to Wings Aircraft LLC of Snohomish, Washington, and operated by Puget Sound Aviators of Seattle, Washington. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned personal flight, which was to be operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he was not familiar with the area where his airplane was parked. After reviewing the airport diagram and taxiways, he noted that taxiway Bravo 8 (B8) at BFI was a marked entrance to the taxiway [taxiway B]. The pilot stated that as he was unfamiliar with other taxiway entrances (unmarked entrances), he chose to maneuver through the parking area to request entrance to [the] taxiway [at] B8. The pilot further stated that he turned left out of his parking area and proceeded north toward B8, but "...noted another aircraft parked close to my left leading edge." The pilot reported that as he approached to pass the other airplane he applied braking, being concerned that he had misjudged his clearance. The pilot stated, "In doing so I applied too much left brake, striking my left wing's leading edge with the parked aircraft." A post accident examination revealed that the outboard section of the left wing had sustained structural damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 PDT
Nearest AirportBoeing Field/King County Int. (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN43779
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPuget Sound Aviators
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14982 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 46
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data