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Atlas / NTSB / LAX04CA099

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event LAX04CA099

2004-01-11 San Diego, California, United States Airport · MYF None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N67844

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

CESSNA 152

Year of manufacture

1978 · 26 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19790608

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A8FC71

Registrant of record

PATEL PRAGNESH

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's misjudgment of clearance from the vehicle while taxiing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

Factual narrative

On January 11, 2004, about 1000 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N67844, collided with a fuel truck while taxing to parking at Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California. The airplane, registered to and owned by a private individual, was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed MYF about 0915. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that she had completed several touch-and-go practice takeoff and landings and was taxiing back to the tie down area. While taxiing on the ramp area, between rows of parked airplanes, she noticed a parked fuel truck ahead of her on the left side. After deciding she had adequate clearance between the airplane and the fuel truck, she continued taxiing and momentarily glanced down at the airplane's checklist. She stated that she "incorrectly judged" the distance between the airplane and fuel truck, and the airplane struck the fuel truck with the outboard section of the left wing. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The airplane collided with a fuel truck while taxing to parking. While taxiing on the ramp area, between rows of parked airplanes, the pilot noticed a parked fuel truck ahead of her on the left side. After deciding she had adequate clearance between the airplane and the fuel truck, she continued taxiing and momentarily glanced down at the airplane's checklist. She stated that she "incorrectly judged" the distance between the airplane and fuel truck, and the airplane struck the fuel truck with the outboard section of the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2004_LAX04CA099.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.