# NTSB LAX90LA045: North American P-51D, N5415V, Van Nuys, CA, December 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1989, 16:10 local (Dec 4, 1989, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190013, -118.489959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1900&lon=-118.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA045

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE P-51 PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE STANDING C-172.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - daylight
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - daylight
  - object - aircraft moving on ground
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE C-172, N5364K, HAD JUST LANDED ON RWY 34R AND HAD PULLED OFF ONTO TAXIWAY 7E, SHORT OF TAXIWAY E. THEY WERE INSTRUCTED BY TOWER TO HOLD SHORT OF TAXIWAY E FOR NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TAXIWAY E. THE P-51, N5415V, HAD JUST LANDED ON RWY 34L AND HAD PULLED OFF ONTO TAXIWAY 7F BETWEEN THE TWO PARALLEL RUNWAYS. THEY SWITCHED TO GROUND AND WERE CLEARED TO CROSS 34R. THE P-51 COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF THE C-172.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N5415V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P-51D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45553
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 1650-V-12 1600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unlimited Airraeing
- Departed: SMO, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 34, 4,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N5364K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5364K), registered now, S/N 17274082, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17274082
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kirk E. Poulson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 34, 4,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N5415V; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,500 total, 450 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N5364K; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 500 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891203049002A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891203049002A), Dec 3, 1989: Namer F51D, Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. Cleared by error to cross runway and ran into tail of N5364K holding on taxiway.
- [Accident 19891203049001A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891203049001A), Dec 3, 1989: Cessna 172P, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Holding on taxiway was struck from behind by a taxiing P51,N5415V. Tower had cleared P51 to cross runway into 172P.

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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