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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 2008 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Buckeye, Arizona · Buckeye 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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during taxi (to runway)
- Ground collision during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Failure
- factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Fluid level
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
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna TU206A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during standing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Failure
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Pilot of other aircraft
- factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Fluid level
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
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR09CA017.