# NTSB LAX83LA171: Cessna 195A, N1537H, Palo Alto, CA, March 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1983, 14:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.45082, -122.10054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4508&lon=-122.1005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA171

## 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 moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE AIRCREWS OF A CESSNA 195A, N1537H, & A BEECH V35B, N2084L, WERE CLEARED TO RWY 30 FROM DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON THE PARKING AREA. THE CESSNA PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO USE THE 'SHORTEST ROUTE, NO DELAY PLEASE.' AS THE ACFT WERE TAXIED ON SEPARATE ROUTES, THEY CONVERGED WHERE THE 2 TAXIWAYS MERGED AT THE RUN-UP AREA. THE CESSNA PLT WAS S-TURNING AS HE APPROACHED THE RUN-UP AREA. HE NOTED 2 ACFT PARKED AT 2 OF 3 RUN-UP HOLD LINES, BUT DID NOT SEE THE BEECH CONVERGING FROM HIS RIGHT. THE BEECH WAS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF THE CESSNA & WAS TAXIING SLOWER. THE PILOT OF THE BEECH DID NOT SEE THE CESSNA CONVERGING FROM HIS LEFT REAR AREA. BOTH OF THE ACFT WERE TAXIING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION & WERE WITHIN 10 FT OF THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINE WHEN THE 2 COLLIDED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N1537H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7759
- Engines: JACOBS R-775A 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grand Canyon Dories , Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N2084L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9906
- Airframe hours: 1651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vindicator Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1983
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N1537H; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,950 total, 3,050 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N2084L; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 213 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °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 19830331014551A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331014551A), Mar 31, 1983: Cessna 195A, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Taxxied into a bonanza N2084L as both arrived at runup area. Was advised to expedite. No traffic advisory issued.
- [Accident 19830331014552A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331014552A), Mar 31, 1983: Beech V35B, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Was struck by a Cessna 195 N1537H as both aircraft arrived at runup area. Controller did not notice traffic conflict

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.