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NTSB Report
July 3, 1986 · Cessna 172P · N54203
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N54203
Operator
Skylighters Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA284
THE PRIVATE PLT HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE AT THE LOS ANGELES INTL. ARPT. & THE PLT WAS UNKNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE EXISTENCE OF ARPT MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC SERVICE ROADS. THE PLT WAS GIVEN AN ATC CLEARANCE TO TAXI, & IN THE DARKNESS THE PLT MISTOOK A SERVICE ROAD FOR THE DESIRED TAXIWAY. ALSO, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE NTSB THAT HE WAS IN A HURRY TO FLY FROM LAX TO SAN DIEGO BECAUSE HE HAD TO RETURN TO WORK. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT, WHILE TAXIING, HE HAD MOMENTARILY DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO INSIDE THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK OUTSIDE HE OBSERVED A TRUCK, BUT HE BELIEVED HIS RIGHT WING WOULD CLEAR IT. THE TRUCK, WHICH HAD STOPPED ON THE SERVICE ROAD & WAS HOLDING FOR AIR TRAFFIC, WAS STRUCK ON ITS LEFT REAR SIDE BY THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PLT HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE AT THE LOS ANGELES INTL. ARPT. & THE PLT WAS UNKNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE EXISTENCE OF ARPT MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC SERVICE ROADS. THE PLT WAS GIVEN AN ATC CLEARANCE TO TAXI, & IN THE DARKNESS THE PLT MISTOOK A SERVICE ROAD FOR THE DESIRED TAXIWAY. ALSO, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE NTSB THAT HE WAS IN A HURRY TO FLY FROM LAX TO SAN DIEGO BECAUSE HE HAD TO RETURN TO WORK. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT, WHILE TAXIING, HE HAD MOMENTARILY DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO INSIDE THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK OUTSIDE HE OBSERVED A TRUCK, BUT HE BELIEVED HIS RIGHT WING WOULD CLEAR IT. THE TRUCK, WHICH HAD STOPPED ON THE SERVICE ROAD & WAS HOLDING FOR AIR TRAFFIC, WAS STRUCK ON ITS LEFT REAR SIDE BY THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:20 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles Intl (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN54203
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkylighters Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:20
Weather SourceWFAC