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Accidents · NTSB WPR09CA017 · Final report

Piper L-4 and Cessna TU206A accident near Buckeye, Arizona, October 19, 2008

On October 19, 2008 at about 4:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper L-4 (N87117) and Cessna TU206A (N4807F), were involved in the same accident near Buckeye, Arizona (Buckeye Airport). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A total loss of wheel brakes while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was low brake hydraulic fluid.
Another airplanes total loss of wheel brakes while taxing which resulted in the pilot of the other aircraft colliding with a standing aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the other airplanes low brake hydraulic fluid.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
October 19, 2008 · about 4:15 pm local time · cases in 2008
Place
Buckeye, Arizona · Buckeye Airport · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident · collision on the ground
Injuries
No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft 1
Piper L-4 · all L-4s on the register
Registration
N87117 · registry record · serial 13452
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
Aircraft 2
Cessna TU206A · all TU206As on the register
Registration
N4807F · registry record · serial U206-0507
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative for the Piper L-4 final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna TU206A final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

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 for the Piper L-4 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during taxi (to runway)
  2. Ground collision during taxi (to runway) defining event

The NTSB's findings

Pilot

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 26,900 hours in all; 73 in this make and model
  • Last flight review: May 27, 2008
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rear
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2008
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: KBXK Buckeye AZ
  • Destination: Blythe CA
  • Flight plan: VFR

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

The factual record for the Cessna TU206A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Ground collision during standing

The NTSB's findings

Other crew

  • Certificate: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 774 hours in all; 12 in this make and model
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: KBXK Buckeye AZ
  • Destination: KBXK Buckeye AZ
  • Flight plan: none

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers5

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

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Analytics

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR09CA017.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.