# NTSB MIA89LA128: Cessna 172M, N80440, West Palm Beach, FL, April 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1989, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.7153° N, 80.0534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Palm Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7153&lon=-80.0534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA128

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE ADEQUATE WINGTIP CLEARANCE 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 - fence
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING ON THE EMPTY RAMP, THE LT WING OF THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. PRIOR TO THIS ACIDENT ARPT OPERATIONS PERSONNEL PLACED REFLECTORS ON THE FENCE TO INCREASE VISIBILITY OF IT. AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT, OPERATIONS PERSONNEL PAINTED YELLOW REFLECTIVE DIAGONAL LINES ON THE GROUND ABOUT 5 FEET AWAY FROM THE CURB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80440](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80440), registered now, S/N 17266587, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266587
- Airframe hours: 2904
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chandelle Aviation
- Registered owner: Rocky, John
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 24, 1989, 96 hours before
- Departed: MYGF, FREEPORT, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 35 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

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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