# Accident 20100723039819A: Cessna 152, Ephrata, WA, July 23, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 23, 2010, 06:00 local time
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Airport: Ephrata Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.3047° N, 119.5167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3047&lon=-119.5167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6139M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6139M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 152 (registry code 2071835, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 445 total, 123 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA367) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100723039819A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JULY 23, 2010, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS ACTING AS PILOT IN COMMAND OF A CESSNA 152 REGISTRATION N6139M. DURING HIS FIRST INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND AS SOLE MANIPULATOR OF THE CONTROLS AND WHILE TAXING FOR TAKE-OFF, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FIRE HYDRANT. HE TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT NORTHEAST BOUND ON THE BROAD RAMP AREA TO AVOID THE GLIDER PARKING. ONCE HE HAD CLEARED THE GLIDER PARKING, HE INTENDED TO THEN TAXI SOUTHWEST ON THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY FOR RUNWAY 03. AS HE CAME AROUND THE HANGER, THE SUN WAS VERY BRIGHT AND BLINDING (SUN WAS JUST CRESTING THE HORIZON) AND HE DID NOT SEE THE FIRE HYDRANT. BEFORE HE COULD REACT AND STOP THE AIRCRAFT, THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE FIRE HYDRANT. PILOT ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS HIS SECOND DAY INSTRUCTING IN EPHRATA, AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FIRE HYDRANT. FIRE HYDRANT IS LOCATED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM THE HANGER TOWARDS THE TAXIWAY/RUNWAY DIRECTION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR10CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA367), Jul 23, 2010: Cessna 152 (N6139M), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fire hydrant while taxiing to the runway.

## Other reports on N6139M (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19930327007039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930327007039I), Mar 27, 1993: Cessna 152 (N6139M), Newport, OR, Minor damage. Student not lined up on runway due to crosswind. Over corrected. Struck a VASI light.
- [Accident 19820817038889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817038889A), Aug 17, 1982: Cessna 152 (N6139M), Grants Pass, ID, Substantial damage. Student pilot panicked on nose high level off for landing, pushed control forward, airplane hit runway nose first.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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