# NTSB LAX86LA101: Cessna 152, N64851, Upland, CA, December 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1985, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100162, -117.660148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1002&lon=-117.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA101

## 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
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, driver of vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - improper use of, airport personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON DECEMBER 9, 1985 AT 0730 PST A CESSNA 152 REGISTERED TO WALTER D. CABLE OF UPAND, CALIFORNIA COLLIDED WITH A PARKED TRUCK WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON THE PARALELLEL TAXIWAY OF RWY 24 AT CABLE AIRPORT, UPLAND, CA. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE AIRPORT WAS UNDER CONTRUCTION AND BEING RESURFACED. THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINES HAD NOT BEEN REPAINTED. A CONTRACTORS TRUCK WAS PARKED CLOSE TO THE TAXIWAY, BUT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT SPACE FOR A CESSNA 152 TO TAXI AROUND. THE TRUCK WAS EQUIPPED WITH LADDER RACKS THAT PROTRUDED FROM THE TRUCKS BODY. THE LADDER RACKS WERE RACKS THAT PROTRUDED FORM THE TRUCKS BODY. THE LADDER RACKS WERE NOT CLEARLY VISIBLE TO THE STUDENT PILOT. AS THE AIRCRAFT TAXIIED ABEAM THE TRUCK, THE RIFHT WING TIP STRUCK THE LADDER RACK. THE STUDENT PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING STURCK THE LADDER RACK AGAIN A FEW FEET INBOARD OF THE WING TIP. THE STUDENT PILOT INDICATED ON THE PILOT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64851](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64851-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 15281454, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281545
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter D. Cable
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 2NW, Cable, runway 24, 3,785 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19851209074899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851209074899A), Dec 9, 1985: Cessna 152, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. While taxiing, misjudged distance to a parked truck. The right wing struck the trucks ladder rack twice.

## Other investigations on N64851 (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 LAX95LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA026), Oct 27, 1994: Cessna 152 (N64851), La Verne, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's poor recovery from a bounced landing and improper use of the elevator control. The lack of total experience is a factor in this accident.

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.

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