# NTSB LAX99LA309: Cessna 172N, N733WX, Carlsbad, CA, September 5, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1999, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129905, -117.299018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1299&lon=-117.2990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA309

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during taxi in a confined space.

## 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
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - narrow
  - object - pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was tied down in an area from which it was required to taxi down a road to gain access to the regular taxiway.  As the pilot taxied down the narrow road, the left wing tip hit an unmarked telephone pole that was close to the taxiway.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 1999, about 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733WX, sustained substantial damage during taxi for takeoff at the McClennan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California.  Plus One Flyers, Inc., was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The personal flight was bound for Las Vegas, Nevada.

The pilot stated the airplane was tied down in an area known as Cinema East.  From this location an airplane was required to taxi down a road to gain access to the regular taxiway.  He hit an unmarked telephone pole close to the road with the left wing tip.  He stated the road was narrow, but had a stripe down its center that jogged to avoid the pole.  He shut down the airplane to inspect the damage.  He detected a small dent and noted a chipped section of a thick application of what he thought was putty from a previous repair.  He also noted the wing end cap was cracked.  Since the damage did not look severe, he proceeded to complete his planned round trip to Las Vegas.  A subsequent maintenance inspection revealed the wing was displaced aft and the wing spar buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733WX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733WX), registered now, S/N 17268617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- 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: 17268617
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Plus One Flyers, Inc
- Registered owner: Parviz Kamiab
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRQ
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: CRQ, Mcclellan-Palomar, runway 24, 4,900 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 920 total, 400 in this make and model, 815 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ

## 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 19990905042689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990905042689A), Sep 5, 1999: Cessna 172N, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)On September 5, 1999, about 1300 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733WX, sustained substantial damage during taxi for takeoff at the…

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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