Ground Collision: Pilatus PC-12-47E , N1220A; accident occurred September 14, 2020 in Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Hillsboro, Oregon

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Rivers End Ranch LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N1220A

Location: Lake Abert, Oregon

Accident Number: WPR20LA324

Date & Time: September 14, 2020, 19:30 Local

Registration: N1220A

Aircraft: Pilatus Aircraft PC-12/47E

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Ground collision

Injuries: 3 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during the takeoff ground roll due to inadequate monitoring of the environment.

Findings

Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot

Environmental issues Ground vehicle - Not specified

Factual Information

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

History of Flight

Takeoff Ground collision (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Private 

Age: 70, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter 

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: September 15, 2019

Occupational Pilot: Yes 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time: (Total, all aircraft), (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Pilatus Aircraft 

Registration: N1220A

Model/Series: PC-12/47E 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2015 

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 

Serial Number: 1568

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle

Seats:

Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

Time Since Last Inspection: 

Engines: 1 Turbo prop

Airframe Total Time: 1170 Hrs

Engine Manufacturer: P&W Canada

ELT: Installed 

Engine Model/Series: PT6A-67P

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power:

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Dusk

Observation Facility, Elevation: LKV,4734 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 32 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 19:53 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 193°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility:  7 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 110° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Lake Abert, OR

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Destination: 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Unknown

Airport Information

Airport: Private n/a

Runway Surface Type: Dirt

Airport Elevation: 4800 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 360 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 100 ft 

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 2 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 3 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 42.661111,120.229722(est)