No fatalities

Tree Strike During Taxi After Landing Damages Wing and Stabilizer

Toledo, WA, United States

On September 27, 2009, an AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B was involved in an aviation accident near Toledo, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distracted attention. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that while taxiing after landing at a private airstrip, the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to turn and resulting in damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported an accident that occurred after landing at a private airstrip. The pilot had just landed and was taxiing to the side of the airstrip while observing a friend who was landing behind him. During the taxi, the left wing of the airplane impacted a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to turn, resulting in damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that no mechanical failures occurred during the incident.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, he landed at a private airstrip and his friend was landing behind him. After landing, the pilot taxied from the runway and moved toward the side of the airstrip. While taxiing, he was looking out the window to watch his friend land. During this maneuver, the left wing struck a tree. The collision turned the airplane, and the subsequent motion led to damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that no mechanical failures were involved in the accident. The aircraft was operating normally before the tree strike. The pilot did not specify any other contributing factors.

Contributing factors

Response/compensationPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Sept 2009 AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B accident near Toledo, WA?

A pilot reported that while taxiing after landing at a private airstrip, the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to turn and resulting in damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Sept 2009 AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Sept 2009 involved an AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B, at Toledo, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distracted attention.