LAX04CA099

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · San Diego, CA · January 11, 2004

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
January 11, 2004, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
Place
San Diego, CA
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N67844Cessna 152
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 28, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20040111001819A
Case key
58646

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of clearance from the vehicle while taxiing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water collision with objectTaxi - from landing
Object - vehicle
Clearance - misjudgedPilot in commandCause
Diverted attentionPilot in commandFactor

Analysis

The airplane collided with a fuel truck while taxing to parking. While taxiing on the ramp area, between rows of parked airplanes, the pilot noticed a parked fuel truck ahead of her on the left side. After deciding she had adequate clearance between the airplane and the fuel truck, she continued taxiing and momentarily glanced down at the airplane's checklist. She stated that she "incorrectly judged" the distance between the airplane and fuel truck, and the airplane struck the fuel truck with the outboard section of the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Factual narrative

On January 11, 2004, about 1000 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N67844, collided with a fuel truck while taxing to parking at Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California. The airplane, registered to and owned by a private individual, was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed MYF about 0915. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that she had completed several touch-and-go practice takeoff and landings and was taxiing back to the tie down area. While taxiing on the ramp area, between rows of parked airplanes, she noticed a parked fuel truck ahead of her on the left side. After deciding she had adequate clearance between the airplane and the fuel truck, she continued taxiing and momentarily glanced down at the airplane's checklist. She stated that she "incorrectly judged" the distance between the airplane and fuel truck, and the airplane struck the fuel truck with the outboard section of the left wing. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N67844
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15282053
Engine
Lycoming O-235-L2C, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Jeffrey Adam Archuletta
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
Departed
MYF · San Diego, CA
Destination
MYF · San Diego, CA
Airport
MYF · Montgomery Field Airport

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
35
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3
Flight hours
110 total · 110 in this make and model · 5 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.