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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 18, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N5550L

Palo Alto, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5550L
Operator
Palo Alto Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA017

The student pilot was on her first solo cross-country flight. She was following the yellow taxiway centerline at her base airport between two rows of parked aircraft. A fuel truck was parked in front of an aircraft conducting a refueling operation and the student misjudged the wing tip clearance from the truck. The right wing collided with the unoccupied fuel truck.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's wing and a parked fuel truck.

Full Narrative

On October 18, 1998, at 1330 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5550L, collided with a parked fuel truck while taxiing to parking following landing at the Palo Alto, California, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the solo cross-country instructional flight. The aircraft was operated by the Palo Alto Flying Club under 14 CFR Part 91, and rented by the student pilot for the flight. The aircraft sustained substantial wing damage, and the unoccupied fuel truck had minor damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. An officer of the flying club reported that this was the first solo cross-country for the primary student. She was following the yellow taxiway centerline between two rows of parked aircraft. A fuel truck was parked in front of an aircraft conducting a refueling operation and the student misjudged the wing clearance from the truck. The pilot reported that while taxiing back for the completion of her first cross-country flight she was watching the yellow centerline when the wingtip of the aircraft hit a fuel truck that was parked in front of an airplane. The accident was reported to the Safety Board on October 28, 1998, following damage assessment by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest AirportPALOALTO (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5550L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPalo Alto Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L26 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data