# NTSB DCA78AA023: Boeing 727, N533PS, San Diego, CA, September 25, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 25, 1978
- Place: San Diego, CA · SAN DIEGO, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 137 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1979
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA78AA023
- Board report AAR7905 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7905.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA78AA023

## NTSB brief (aircraft 2)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0021  78/9/25    SAN DIEGO,CA        CESSNA 172          CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0902                    N7711G              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 32, 5137 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-135  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LINDBERGH FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN DIEGO,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PILOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL: OTHER
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-US AIR CARRIER
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - APPROACH CTL-DEPARTURE              RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - UNDER RADAR CONTACT
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - NONE                           CONTROLLED/UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT - CONTROLLED AIRPORT
          CONTROL ZONE/AREA - YES                                  EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - NO
        REMARKS- ATC PROC AUTH CONTROLLERS TO USE VISUAL SEPARATION PROC,RADAR CAPABILITY AVAILABLE.
```

## NTSB brief (aircraft 1)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0021  78/9/25    SAN DIEGO,CA        BOEING 727          CR-  7  0  0  SCHED DOM PASSG SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0902                    N533PS              PX-128  0  0                            42, 14382 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  2  0  0                            10482 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LINDBERGH FIELD
        OPERATOR - PACIFIC SOUTHWEST
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SACRAMENTO,CA               SAN DIEGO,CA                 LOS ANGELES,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL: OTHER
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-US AIR CARRIER
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - TOWER                               RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - UNDER RADAR CONTACT
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - BY APPROACH CONTROL            CONTROLLED/UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT - CONTROLLED AIRPORT
          CONTROL ZONE/AREA - YES                                  EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - NO
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CREW DID NOT COMPLY WITH MAINTAIN-VISUAL-SEPARATION CLEARANCE.
```

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N533PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533PS-1980-08-11), registration cancelled 1980-08-11, S/N 19688 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-214](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-214) (registry code 138407R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Lindbergh Field

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N7711G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7711G-1978-11-09), registration cancelled 1978-11-09, S/N 17265788 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lindbergh Field

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.

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