Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from parked airplanes while taxiing due to his diverted attention.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 13, 1999, at 1215 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-150, N5346W, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with three parked airplanes while taxiing for takeoff at the uncontrolled Flabob Airport, Rubidoux, California. Neither the commercial pilot nor his three passengers were injured during the planned local area personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight which was being performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, while in the process of beginning an orientation flight for a youth group he became distracted with paperwork on the dashboard. His airplane's right wing impacted the unoccupied airplanes. In the pilot's completed report, he reported that the accident could have been prevented had he not diverted his attention while taxiing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX99LA117