# NTSB LAX86LA284: Cessna 172P, N54203, Los Angeles, CA, July 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1986, 22:20 local (Jul 3, 1986, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Coordinates: 33.950218, -118.400642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9502&lon=-118.4006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA284

## 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 - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE AT THE LOS ANGELES INTL. ARPT. & THE PLT WAS UNKNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE EXISTENCE OF ARPT MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC SERVICE ROADS. THE PLT WAS GIVEN AN ATC CLEARANCE TO TAXI, & IN THE DARKNESS THE PLT MISTOOK A SERVICE ROAD FOR THE DESIRED TAXIWAY. ALSO, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE NTSB THAT HE WAS IN A HURRY TO FLY FROM LAX TO SAN DIEGO BECAUSE HE HAD TO RETURN TO WORK. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT, WHILE TAXIING, HE HAD MOMENTARILY DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO INSIDE THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK OUTSIDE HE OBSERVED A TRUCK, BUT HE BELIEVED HIS RIGHT WING WOULD CLEAR IT. THE TRUCK, WHICH HAD STOPPED ON THE SERVICE ROAD & WAS HOLDING FOR AIR TRAFFIC, WAS STRUCK ON ITS LEFT REAR SIDE BY THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54203](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54203), registered now, S/N 17274915, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274915
- Airframe hours: 2013
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skylighters Flying Club
- Registered owner: Walter Moredock & M. Berline
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1986, 53 hours before
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 177 total, 66 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX

## 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 19860702030419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860702030419A), Jul 2, 1986: Cessna 172P, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. Taxied down a service road at night by mistake and struck a parked service truck, failed to see it.

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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