# NTSB LAX90LA051: Cessna 172, N739EQ, Monterey, CA, December 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1989, 14:32 local (22:32 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Coordinates: 36.599319, -121.880996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5993&lon=-121.8810&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 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA051

## Probable cause

PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT'S WING TIP & THE FUEL TRUCK. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLE (FUEL TRUCK).

## 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
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO AVOID A PARKED FUEL TRUCK, WHILE MANEUVERING HIS AIRCRAFT IN THE REFUELING AREA. THERE WAS NO RESTRICTION TO VISIBILITY, AND NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739EQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739EQ-2020-07-06), registration cancelled 2020-07-06, S/N 17270488, 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
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trans Bay Airways
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRL, Monterey, runway 28L, 6,597 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 97 total, 97 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- 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 19891214051469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891214051469A), Dec 14, 1989: Cessna 172N, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. Right wing collided with a fuel truck while taxiing to park.

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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