# NTSB LAX91LA024: Cessna 152, N24815, Watsonville, CA, October 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.94905, -121.719985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9490&lon=-121.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA024

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT TO SEE AND AVOID THE OTHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PILOT OF N65544 SAID THAT HE WAS HOLDING IN THE RUN UP AREA PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND THE CESSNA 152, N24815, TAXIED UP IN FRONT OF HIS AIRCRAFT IN A PERPENDICULAR ORIENTATION. THE PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT SEE THE CESSNA 152 AND BEGAN TO PULL FORWARD TO MOVE INTO POSITION. THE PROPELLER OF N65544 SLICED INTO THE RIGHT WING OF THE CESSNA 152. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ON BOARD THE CESSNA 152 STATED IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT THAT HIS STUDENT TAXIED UP TO THE HOLD SHORT LINE IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID THAT HE LOOKED TO HIS RIGHT AND SAW THE STEARMAN TAXI INTO HIS RIGHT WING. THE WATSONVILLE AIRPORT IS AN UNCONTROLLED GENERAL AVIATION FACILITY.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N24815](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24815-2012-11-01), registration cancelled 2012-11-01, S/N 15280395, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280395
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: United Flight Services
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: WVI
- Destination: WVI
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N65544](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65544), registered now, S/N 75-6629, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-6629
- Engines: CONTINENTAL R 670-4 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Hill
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: WVI
- Destination: WVI
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N24815; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,515 total, 725 in this make and model, 1,280 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N65544; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 567 total, 36 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19901012048552A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901012048552A), Oct 12, 1990: Cessna 152, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. While holding for takeoff wing tip was struck by N65544 that began to taxi from holding area. Was too close to prop
- [Accident 19901012048551A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901012048551A), Oct 12, 1990: Boeing B75N1, Watsonville, CA, Minor damage. Taxied into wing tip of N24815 that was holding for takeoff. Forward visibility poor. 152 stopped in blind 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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