# NTSB GAA16CA371: Cessna 172, N9488G, San Diego, CA, July 8, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2016, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.811389, -117.138053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8114&lon=-117.1381&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93593/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93593
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA371

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, which resulted in an impact with a stationary fuel truck.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff in a non-movement area, the right wing of the airplane impacted a stationary fuel truck. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff in a non-movement area, the right wing of the airplane impacted a stationary fuel truck. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9488G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9488G), registered now, S/N 17273629, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273629
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 16489
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2016
- Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 348 total, 270 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KMYF

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20160708013909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160708013909A), Jul 8, 2016: Cessna 172N, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was set to go to pasadena to a meeting at 1900PDT. Pilot arrived at gibbs service in Montgomery Field, where he checked the weather and for any squawks…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93593. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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