# NTSB LAX89LA325: Cessna 172, N252ER, Phoenix, AZ, September 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Location: 33.4343° N, 112.0116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL (PHX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4343&lon=-112.0116&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA325

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WINGTIP AND THE BLAST DEFLECTOR SHIELD.  THE PROXIMITY OF THE SHIELD WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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 - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT ENTERED THE RUNUP AREA FOR RWY 8L, THE ACFT'S LEFT WINGTIP HIT A BLAST DEFLECTOR SHIELD NEAR THE EDGE OF THE RUNUP AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N252ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N252ER), registered now, S/N 17271635, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 71635
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Embry Riddle Aero. Univ.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PHX
- Destination: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PHX, Sky Harbor, runway 8L, 11,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 93 total, 93 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890923036189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890923036189A), Sep 23, 1989: Cessna 172N, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Wing struck a blast deflector shield while turning in runup area.

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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