# NTSB WPR16LA063: Cessna 172S, N499DR, San Diego, CA, February 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2016, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.821945, -116.970001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8219&lon=-116.9700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92687/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92687 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA063 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in impact with the parked airplane. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The flight instructor’s failure to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in impact with another parked airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The airplane was parked on the ramp with its engine not operating when another airplane taxied into it. The other airplane, with a flight instructor and a student pilot onboard, was parked with the engine running when it began to move forward and to the right. The instructor stated that upon noticing the forward movement, he applied the brakes. He reported that the right rudder/brake pedal was positioned further forward than the left pedal, and upon application of brakes, the right turn increased before the airplane impacted the parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage to both. The student pilot reported that he noticed the airplane's movement and tried to alert the instructor; however, the instructor appeared to be distracted. Postaccident examination of the brake system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the airplane's nose wheel was initially displaced to the right, which resulted in the airplane's right turn when it began to move. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The flight instructor and student pilot were parked with the airplane's engine running when the airplane began to move forward and to the right. The instructor stated that upon noticing the forward movement, he applied the brakes. He reported that the right rudder/brake pedal was positioned further forward than the left pedal, and upon application of brakes, the right turn increased before the airplane impacted another occupied airplane parked on the ramp, resulting in substantial damage to both. The student pilot reported that he noticed the airplane's movement and tried to alert the instructor; however, the instructor appeared to be distracted. Postaccident examination of the brake system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the airplane's nose wheel was initially displaced to the right, which resulted in the airplane's right turn. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On February 3, 2016, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N499DR, impacted a parked, occupied Cessna 172S, N1955L at the Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), San Diego/El Cajon, California. Both airplanes were occupied with one certified flight instructor (CFI) and one student pilot; no one was injured. N499DR sustained minor damage, and N1955L sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure and rudder. Both airplanes were registered to Sorbi Aviation Inc., and were operated by the California Flight Academy as 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and neither airplane had filed a flight plan. Both airplanes were on the California Flight Academy parking ramp preparing for their local flights. The CFI from N499DR reported that this was the student pilot's first flight lesson. After completing a thorough preflight they hand towed the airplane out from its north facing parking spot and turned it towards the east. They started the engine and it idled between 800-1000 RPM. While listening to the airport's automatic terminal information service (ATIS) the airplane started to move with a right turning tendency. The CFI stated he did not notice it at first, but when he did, he stepped on the brakes. The airplane increased its right turn and struck a parked, occupied, airplane (N1955L). In a later conversation, the CFI reported that when he attempted to stop the airplane he noticed that the right rudder pedal was slightly more forward than the left, but not by much. In a written statement, the student pilot from N499DR reported that when the CFI was listening to the radio, the airplane started moving and turning into another airplane. He stated "Hey you! Airplane is moving!" and he touched the CFI. The CFI looked at him, then back at the radio, and he "did not do anything;" he appeared to be distracted. The airplane continued its turn and impacted N1955L. The CFI of N1955L reported that the student pilot and he were preparing for their flight with the engine off, when they suddenly felt a jolt and heard the sound of metal contacting metal. They turned around and observed that N499DR had struck the aft fuselage of their airplane. During a postaccident examination of N499DR's brake system by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, there were no visual defects or leaks. He manipulated the brakes both dependently and independently with no anomalies noted. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On February 3, 2016, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N499DR, impacted a parked, occupied Cessna 172S, N1955L at the Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), San Diego/El Cajon, California. Both airplanes were occupied with one certified flight instructor (CFI) and one student pilot; no one was injured. N499DR sustained minor damage, and N1955L sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure and rudder. Both airplanes were registered to Sorbi Aviation Inc., and were operated by the California Flight Academy as 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and neither airplane had filed a flight plan. Both airplanes were on the California Flight Academy parking ramp preparing for their local flights. The CFI from N499DR reported that this was the student pilot's first flight lesson. After completing a thorough preflight they hand towed the airplane out from its north facing parking spot and turned it towards the east. They started the engine and it idled between 800-1000 RPM. While listening to the airport's automatic terminal information service (ATIS) the airplane started to move with a right turning tendency. The CFI stated he did not notice it at first, but when he did, he stepped on the brakes. The airplane increased its right turn and struck a parked, occupied, airplane (N1955L). In a later conversation, the CFI reported that when he attempted to stop the airplane he noticed that the right rudder pedal was slightly more forward than the left, but not by much. In a written statement, the student pilot from N499DR reported that when the CFI was listening to the radio, the airplane started moving and turning into another airplane. He stated "Hey you! Airplane is moving!" and he touched the CFI. The CFI looked at him, then back at the radio, and he "did not do anything;" he appeared to be distracted. The airplane continued its turn and impacted N1955L. The CFI of N1955L reported that the student pilot and he were preparing for their flight with the engine off, when they suddenly felt a jolt and heard the sound of metal contacting metal. They turned around and observed that N499DR had struck the aft fuselage of their airplane. During a postaccident examination of N499DR's brake system by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, there were no visual defects or leaks. He manipulated the brakes both dependently and independently with no anomalies noted. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N499DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N499DR), registered now, S/N 172S9167, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9167 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 3629 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Flight Academy - Registered owner: Sorbi Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 29, 2016, 11 hours before - Departed: SEE, San Diego, CA - Destination: SEE, San Diego, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field Airport - Equipment: Unknown ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N1955L (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8121 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 4502 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Flight Academy - Registered owner: Sorbi Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 29, 2015 - Departed: SEE, San Diego, CA - Destination: SEE, San Diego, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field Airport - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor, aircraft N499DR; 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 August 15, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 560 total, 254 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N499DR; age 29; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model - Flight instructor, aircraft N1955L; age 35; 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 September 24, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,530 total, 371 in this make and model, 1,458 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N1955L; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 55 total, 54 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160203007372A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160203007372A), Feb 3, 2016: Cessna 172S, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. The CFI and the student pilot did a preflight inspection and then pulled the aircraft forward from its parking spot to the north ramp with the nose pointing… - [Accident 20160203007362A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160203007362A), Feb 3, 2016: Cessna 172S, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was parked and not running when struck by another aircraft and sustained substantial damage. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92687. 9.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N499DR) (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N499DR)-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (N499DR) (item 2, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement%20(N499DR)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N1955L) (item 3, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N1955L)-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram Courtesy of KSEE Airport Operations (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 442 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram%20Courtesy%20of%20KSEE%20Airport%20Operations-Master.PDF - Brake Examination - Courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration (item 5, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Brake%20Examination%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration-Master.PDF - On Scene Photos - Courtesy of Airport Operations (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Operations-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.