# NTSB LAX00LA289: Cessna 172K, N79004, Palo Alto, CA, July 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2000, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA - Coordinates: 37.449951, -122.100189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4500&lon=-122.1002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49933/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA289 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of the other airplane's (Cessna) inadequate visual lookout and misjudged distance to the standing Beech. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Cessna pilot's inadequate visual lookout and misjudged distance to a standing Beech while taxiing for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilots of a Beech (Baron) and a Cessna planned to depart using runway 31, and taxied toward the runway's engine run-up area. Upon arrival, the Baron pilot found the area fully occupied by six other airplanes, so he held short. The Cessna pilot stopped in trail behind the Baron. After a few minutes, an airplane vacated the run-up area, and the Baron pilot applied engine power to reposition his airplane in the run-up area. The Cessna pilot attempted to pass the Baron by proceeding between the Baron's right wing and another airplane, to the Cessna's right side. The Cessna pilot indicated that he misjudged his clearance, and the leading edge of his left wing impacted the rear of the Baron's rotating propeller blades. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilots of a Beech (Baron) and a Cessna planned to depart using runway 31, and they taxied toward the runway's engine run-up area. Upon arrival, the Baron pilot found the area fully occupied by six other airplanes, so he held short. The Cessna pilot stopped in trail behind the Baron. After a few minutes, an airplane vacated the run-up area, and the Baron pilot applied engine power to reposition his airplane in the run-up area. The Cessna pilot attempted to pass the Baron by proceeding between the Baron's right wing and another airplane, to the Cessna's right side. The Cessna pilot indicated that he misjudged his clearance, and the leading edge of his left wing impacted the rear of the Baron's rotating propeller blades. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On July 15, 2000, about 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79004, operated by the Happy Pilots Flying Club, Inc., Santa Clara, California, taxied into a Beech 58, N7271R, operated by its pilot-owner, at the Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, California. When the collision occurred, the Cessna pilot was attempting to taxi around the stationary Beech, which was holding on a taxiway leading to runway 31. The Cessna's left wing was substantially damaged, and propeller blades on the Beech's right engine sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the private pilot and passenger in the Cessna, or to the commercial pilot and passenger in the Beech. The flights were being performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Both airplanes' flights were originating at the time of the accident. The Cessna pilot subsequently reported that minutes prior to the collision, he had taxied toward the engine run-up area associated with runway 31 where he observed the standing Beech (Baron). After waiting a few minutes, he decided to attempt to pass the Baron. The Cessna pilot reported that while maintaining clearance from an (unspecified) airplane to his right, he "misjudged" his clearance from the Baron. The leading edge of the Cessna's left wing contacted the rear of the Baron's right engine rotating propeller blades. The Baron pilot subsequently reported that the accident occurred after he had taxied from his tie-down spot and was holding on the centerline of the taxiway leading to the run-up area. He indicated that he was waiting for a place to open in the run-up area because it was full. There were at least six airplanes in the area awaiting clearance for takeoff. The Cessna was behind the Baron. As a place opened in the run-up area, the Baron pilot advanced the throttles to occupy the available spot. Just at that moment, the Cessna attempted to pass the Baron on its right side. The Cessna was moving rapidly. The Cessna's left wing overlapped the Baron's right wing and was lacerated by the Baron's propeller blades. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On July 15, 2000, about 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79004, operated by the Happy Pilots Flying Club, Inc., Santa Clara, California, taxied into a Beech 58, N7271R, operated by its pilot-owner, at the Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, California. When the collision occurred, the Cessna pilot was attempting to taxi around the stationary Beech, which was holding on a taxiway leading to runway 31. The Cessna's left wing was substantially damaged, and propeller blades on the Beech's right engine sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the private pilot and passenger in the Cessna, or to the commercial pilot and passenger in the Beech. The flights were being performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Both airplanes' flights were originating at the time of the accident. The Cessna pilot subsequently reported that minutes prior to the collision, he had taxied toward the engine run-up area associated with runway 31 where he observed the standing Beech (Baron). After waiting a few minutes, he decided to attempt to pass the Baron. The Cessna pilot reported that while maintaining clearance from an (unspecified) airplane to his right, he "misjudged" his clearance from the Baron. The leading edge of the Cessna's left wing contacted the rear of the Baron's right engine rotating propeller blades. The Baron pilot subsequently reported that the accident occurred after he had taxied from his tie-down spot and was holding on the centerline of the taxiway leading to the run-up area. He indicated that he was waiting for a place to open in the run-up area because it was full. There were at least six airplanes in the area awaiting clearance for takeoff. The Cessna was behind the Baron. As a place opened in the run-up area, the Baron pilot advanced the throttles to occupy the available spot. Just at that moment, the Cessna attempted to pass the Baron on its right side. The Cessna was moving rapidly. The Cessna's left wing overlapped the Baron's right wing and was lacerated by the Baron's propeller blades. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N79004](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79004), registered now, S/N 17257801, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257801 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Happy Pilots Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1999, 80 hours before - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N7271R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7271R-2023-01-30), registration cancelled 2023-01-30, S/N TH-584, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH584 - Airframe hours: 2616 - Engines: Continental IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William I. Cohen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1999, 53 hours before - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N79004; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 441 total, 314 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N7271R; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,945 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 3,945 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 145 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAO ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000715011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000715011029A), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna 172K, Palo Alto, CA, No damage. (-23) A baron 58, N7271R, was holding on the centerline of the taxiway approach to the runup area for runway 31 at Palo Alto airport. At least 6 a/c were in… - [Accident 20000715011469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000715011469A), Jul 15, 2000: Beech 58, Palo Alto, CA, No damage. (-23) The baron 58, N7271R, was holding on the centerline of the taxiway approach to the runup for runway 31 at Palo Alto airport. At least 6 a/c were in the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.