# NTSB LAX98LA030: Cessna 172P, N98483, San Diego, CA, November 5, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1997, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.800994, -117.130111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8010&lon=-117.1301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA030

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a hangar while taxiing.

## 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 - hangar/airport building
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

After receiving clearance from ground control, the student pilot proceeded to taxi to his parking spot.  He entered into a portion of the taxiway in a nonmovement area that is not visible from the tower, and encountered another aircraft taxiing in his direction.  The student pilot attempted to yield to the oncoming traffic.  In his attempt to keep the aircraft at a safe distance, and maneuver around a wheel chock, the right wing tip struck the corner of a hangar.

## Factual narrative

On November 5, 1997, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N98483, struck a hangar with it's right wing while taxiing in from landing at Montgomery Field, San Diego, California.  The aircraft, operated by American Flyers, sustained substantial damage.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local solo instructional flight.

The student pilot reported that after landing he received ground clearance to taxi back to his parking spot.  He stated that as he was taxiing, he entered into a portion of the taxiway that is not visible from the tower, and also encountered another aircraft taxiing in his direction.  The student pilot reported that while maneuvering to maintain a safe distance from the other aircraft, and attempting to avoid a wheel chock, the right wing of the aircraft struck the corner of a hangar.  He stated that aircraft was at a slow taxi, but that he was using the left brake to pivot the aircraft when the right wing struck the hangar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98483](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98483-2010-02-12), registration cancelled 2010-02-12, S/N 17276298, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- 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: 17276298
- Airframe hours: 11995
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ate Of California Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 1997, 90 hours before
- Departed: MYF
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28, 3,399 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF

## 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 19971105039919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971105039919A), Nov 5, 1997: Cessna 172P, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Taxiing to park had opposite traffic. Wing hit corner of hangar while avoiding other aiarcraft. (.19) on November 5, 1997, at 1230 hours pacific standard time,…

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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