Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a ground vehicle during a low-altitude maneuver.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was returning to his home airport and was descending for landing when he saw his friend's car on the dirt road below him. He decided to make a 180-degree turn, and rolled out facing the car. The pilot stated that it looked like he was going to be low so he started a recovery from the descent. The closure rate was too fast and the left main landing gear of the airplane struck the vehicle. The pilot reported that he continued the climb to about 200 feet and made another turn to check on his friend. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on the road. During the landing roll, the left wing contacted the top of the berm next to the road. During the collision with the vehicle, the left main landing gear had been sheared off and the driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA124 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 30, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Crystal, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Crystal
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-235
- N-number
- N9083W
- 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.