# NTSB WPR10CA367: Cessna 152, N6139M, Ephrata, WA, July 23, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 23, 2010, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Coordinates: 47.304721, -119.51667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3047&lon=-119.5167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA367
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76761/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76761
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA367

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fire hydrant while taxiing to the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that he was taxiing the airplane to the active runway. As he came around a hangar he noted that the sun was extremely bright, as it was just on the horizon. The CFI then taxied the airplane into a fire hydrant, resulting in damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The CFI reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

In a written statement, the certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that he was taxiing the airplane to the active runway. As he came around a hangar, he noted the sun was extremely bright, as it was cresting on the horizon. The CFI taxied the airplane into a fire hydrant; the right horizontal stabilizer was damaged as a result of the impact. The CFI reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6139M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6139M), registered now, S/N 15284630, built 1980 (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: 15284630
- Airframe hours: 13832
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2010
- Departed: EPH, Ephrata, WA
- Destination: EPH, Ephrata, WA
- Airport: EPH, Ephrata Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 445 total, 123 in this make and model, 347 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: EPH

## 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 20100723039819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100723039819A), Jul 23, 2010: Cessna 152, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. On July 23, 2010, [privacy data omitted] was acting as pilot in command of a Cessna 152 registration N6139M. During his first instructional flight of the day…

## Other investigations on N6139M (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA82DA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA144), Aug 17, 1982: Cessna 152-II (N6139M), Grants Pass, OR, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76761. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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