Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to stop the airplane while taxiing to park, which resulted in a collision with a parked vehicle.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was taxiing the airplane on the ramp and was turning the airplane to park. The pilot added power to complete the turn; however, he was not able to stop quickly enough after the turn was completed, and the airplane hit a nearby parked sport utility vehicle. The left wing spar was bent and the firewall was wrinkled. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA396 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 26, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Valparaiso, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-161
- N-number
- N6183H
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.