# NTSB LAX02LA205: Cessna 172N, N160RA, North Las Vegas, NV, June 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2002, 22:30 local (Jun 24, 2002, 05:30 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.2, -115.183334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2000&lon=-115.1833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 55001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the flight after dark with an inoperative taxi/landing light deficiency, and his unfamiliarity with the taxiways. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - pre-flight - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing - terrain condition - ditch - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - night (cause) ## Analysis While taxiing without landing lights at night, the airplane departed the taxiway and came to rest in a concrete drainage ditch. After landing, the pilot maneuvered the airplane onto the taxiway with the assumption that the turnoff was a 90-degree turn. The pilot indicated that he was aware that the landing/taxi light on the airplane was inoperative. He further stated that he flew the airplane after dark with the known deficiency. The pilot stated that there were no other mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2002, at 2230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N160RA, came to rest in a concrete drainage ditch while attempting to enter taxiway C after landing at the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada. The airplane, owned by L J Air, Inc., and rented by the pilot, was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed VGT about 2150, and was scheduled to terminate at VGT. According to the pilot, he and his passengers were going towards Red Rocks to watch the sunset. They had flown about 50 minutes before returning to VGT. After landing the pilot taxied clear of runway 7 at taxiway C. He stated that he entered taxiway C using a 90-degree turn, as "required on Taxiway E." He used the taxiway lights for orientation, "presuming that taxiway C was also a [90-degree] exit." The pilot further indicated that taxiway lights located at the intersections of runway 7 and taxiway C and taxiway A were not visible due to an inoperative landing/taxi light on the airplane. The pilot continued to taxi the airplane off the pavement and into a concrete drainage area. The pilot stated that the only discrepancy with the airplane was that the landing/taxi light did not work, but he knew that prior to departure from VGT. He reported that there were no other mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N160RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N160RA-2023-05-17), registration cancelled 2023-05-17, S/N 17268851, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - 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: 17268851 - Airframe hours: 2375 - Engines: À/o O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: L J Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 2002, 16 hours before - Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 07, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 5,363 total, 173 in this make and model, 4,979 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: VGT ## 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 20020623012219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020623012219A), Jun 23, 2002: Cessna 172N, Las Vegas, NV, No damage. (-23) N160RA a Cessna 172-N with inoperative landing light, on a part 91 sightseeing trip at night with 3 passengers and 1 pilot flew for 30 minutes from 2148… ## Other investigations on N160RA (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 ERA22FA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA318), Jul 17, 2022: Cessna 172N (N160RA), North Las Vegas, NV, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The low-wing airplane pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was aligned with the correct runway, which resulted in a collision with the high-wing airplane on final approach. Contributing to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55001. 412 KB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40168086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.