# NTSB MIA89LA234: Cessna 172N, N738WM, Jacksonville, FL, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 23:20 local (Aug 26, 1989, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.359363, -81.510726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3594&lon=-81.5107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA234

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARK NIGHT, LIGHT POLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE LIGHT, AND THE LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION CONCERNING THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SEE THE POLE AT NIGHT.

## 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
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,ramp facilities - not operating (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING AT NIGHT, THE PLT TAXIED TO THE PARKING RAMP, BUT FOUND THAT THE ACFT'S NORMAL PARKING PLACE WAS OCCUPIED. HE TAXIED TO THE END OF THE ROW & MADE A LEFT TURN TOWARD THE NEXT ROW. DURING THE TURN, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A LIGHT POLE BESIDE THE RAMP. THE LIGHT ON THE POLE WAS NOT OPERATING. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE COLOR OF THE POLE WAS DARK & HE DID NOT SEE IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738WM), registered now, S/N 17270294 (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: 17270294
- Airframe hours: 5663
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shields, John, doing business as Inflite Sales Company
- Registered owner: John E Shields DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 17, 1989, 5 hours before
- Airport: CRG, Craig Muni, runway 32, 4,007 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 725 total, 100 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG

## 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 19890825032219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825032219A), Aug 25, 1989: Cessna 172N, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Wing struck a unlighted lightpole while maneuvering to park after landing. All ramp lights were off.

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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