# NTSB LAX04LA027: Piper PA 28-161, N39494, San Diego, CA, October 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 2003, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.815555, -117.139442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8156&lon=-117.1394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Admistration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58246/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA027 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the pilot of the other airplane's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the collision with the Cessna 172R. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the student pilot's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the on ground collision with the Cessna 172R. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - aircraft handling - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - not activated (cause) - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - landing gear,normal brake system - not activated (cause) - aircraft handling - incorrect, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Cessna 172R, N72AF, and a Piper PA-28-161, N39494, collided during taxi. The left wing and the propeller of the Piper respectively struck the rudder and right aileron of the Cessna. According to the pilot of the Piper, after arriving at the run-up area, the pilot attempted to slow the airplane. Instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle, but was unable to prevent the collision. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Cessna 172R, N72AF, and a Piper PA-28-161, N39494, collided during taxi. The left wing and the propeller of the Piper respectively struck the rudder and right aileron of the Cessna. According to the pilot of the Piper, after arriving at the run-up area, the pilot attempted to slow the airplane. Instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle, but was unable to prevent the collision. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 25, 2003, about 1225 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA 28-161, N39494, collided with a Cessna 172R, N72AF, while taxiing to the run-up area at Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California. Sorbi Flying Club was operting the PA-28-161, and the Cessna 172R was being operated by American Flyers, Inc. The student pilots in each airplane, the sole occupants, were not injured; both airplanes sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans had been filed for the local area instructional flights. Both flights were originating at the time. In a written statement, the pilot of the PA-28-161 reported that he was taxiing to the run-up area. After arriving at the run-up area he attempted to slow the airplane, but instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle; however, the left wing clipped the rudder and the propeller cut through the right aileron of the Cessna 172R. This was the first solo flight for the PA-28-161 pilot. He did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the brakes at the accident site and noted no anomalies. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 25, 2003, about 1225 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA 28-161, N39494, collided with a Cessna 172R, N72AF, while taxiing to the run-up area at Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California. Sorbi Flying Club was operating the PA-28-161, and the Cessna 172R was being operated by American Flyers, Inc. The student pilots in each airplane, the sole occupants, were not injured; both airplanes sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans had been filed for the local area instructional flights. Both flights were originating at the time. In a written statement, the pilot of the PA-28-161 reported that he was taxiing to the run-up area. After arriving at the run-up area he attempted to slow the airplane, but instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle; however, the left wing clipped the rudder and the propeller cut through the right aileron of the Cessna 172R. This was the first solo flight for the PA-28-161 pilot. He did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the brakes at the accident site and noted no anomalies. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N39494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39494-2020-05-18), registration cancelled 2020-05-18, S/N 28-7816663, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816663 - Engines: Lycoming O 320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sorbi Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 2003, 89.5 hours before - Departed: KMYF - Destination: KSDM, Brown Field, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N72AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72AF-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 17280070, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280070 - Engines: Textron Lycoming IO-360 Ser 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Flyers, Inc. - Registered owner: ATE of California, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KMYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: KSDM, Brown FIeld, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N39494; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N72AF; age 33; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMYF ## 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 20031025026841A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031025026841A), Oct 25, 2003: Piper PA28161, San Diego, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On October 25, 2003 at 1225 hours pacific time, a Piper PA-28, N39494, sustained minor damage when it struck a CE-172, N72AF in the aircraft run-up area… - [Accident 20031025026842A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031025026842A), Oct 25, 2003: Cessna 172R, San Diego, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On October 25, 2003, at 1225 hours pacific time, a Piper PA-28, N39494, sustained minor damage when it struck a CE-172, N72AF, in the aircraft run-up… 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.