# NTSB LAX06CA157: Cessna 172S, N534SP, Big Bear, CA, May 1, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2006, 17:30 local (May 1, 2006, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.26361, -116.854446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2636&lon=-116.8544&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA157 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain wing clearance from a pole during taxi. ## 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 - pole - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane's right wing tip hit a light pole during taxi. While taxiing toward the run up area, the pilot noticed that a twin engine airplane behind him was in a hurry, because the twin was gaining on him. The pilot moved to the side of the taxiway in order to let the twin engine airplane pass while he did his run-up. He watched his right wing tip as he was turning in order to clear a light pole. He diverted his attention his left wing. That is when his right wing tip hit the pole. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2006, about 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N534SP, collided with a pole during taxi at Big Bear, California. Edwards Aero Club was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Edwards Air Force Base, California, about 1015, with a planned destination of Big Bear. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. The pilot was taxiing to runway 26 at Big Bear around 1730. He noticed a small twin engine airplane land. The twin engine airplane taxiied back to the runway behind the Cessna 172. The pilot noticed that the twin engine airplane seemed to be in a hurry, because it was gaining on the 172 during taxi. The pilot said he pulled off the taxiway to do his run-up and let the pilot of the twin engine airplane pass. He watched his right wing tip as he was turning in order to clear a light pole. When he felt that he would clear the pole, he diverted his attention to his left wing. That is when he felt his right wing tip hit the pole. He shutdown the engine and secured the airplane. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: N534SP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8380 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edwards Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L35, Big Bear, CA - Destination: EDW, Edwards AFB, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L35, Big Bear ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 105 total, 102 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20060430006699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060430006699A), Apr 30, 2006: Cessna 172S, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During taxi, the right wing of the aircraft struck an airfield ramp light pole. The pole is located at the east end of the airfield. After waiting for a… 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.