Piper PA-32-301 accident near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, January 27, 2013
On January 27, 2013 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-301, registered N8385S, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Lancaster Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a parked vehicle while taxiing from landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 27, 2013 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Lancaster Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-301 · all PA-32-301s on the register
- Registration
- N8385S · registry record · serial 32-8106065
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while taxiing back to the hangar, she noticed a parked vehicle in the distance and off to the right of the taxiway she was traveling on. The pilot applied brakes to slow the airplane and looked to her right to ensure there was adequate space between the wing and the vehicle. The pilot returned her eyes to the taxiway in front of her momentarily but turned her attention to the vehicle once again for reassurance, at which time the airplane struck the vehicle, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Taxiing › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 697 hours in all; 344 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 503 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 5, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,808 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 16, 2012; 167 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Belair Flying Club INC
The flight
- Departed from: LNS Lancaster PA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: LNS Lancaster PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.47 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from LNS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N8385S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.