# NTSB LAX87LA171: Mooney M20J, N5690N, Fullerton, CA, April 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1987, 12:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8720° N, 117.9798° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8720&lon=-117.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA171

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - parking brakes - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

WHILE HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY BEHIND A CESSNA 182R, THE PILOT OF A MOONEY M20J, REACHED OVER TO TIGHTEN HIS FOUR YEAR OLD SONS SEATBELT. THE PILOTS FOOT CAME OFF THE TOE BRAKE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N5690N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1406
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vinyar, Paul III
- Registered owner: Vinyard Paul III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N5456N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5456N), registered now, S/N 18267727, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267727
- Airframe hours: 1681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Buchanan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 1986, 85 hours before
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N5690N; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 46 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N5456N; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,031 total, 367 in this make and model, 1,009 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 245° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL

## 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 19870404012801A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870404012801A), Apr 4, 1987: Mooney M20J, Fullerton, CA, Minor damage. The aircraft struck N5456N while holding for takeoff. The pilot inadvertently released brakes.
- [Accident 19870404012802A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870404012802A), Apr 4, 1987: Cessna 182R, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft was struck from behind by N5690N while holding for takeoff.

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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