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WPR10CA367

2010-07-23 · Ephrata, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EPH

Current FAA registration · N6139M

Make / Model
CESSNA 152
Year of manufacture
1980 · 30 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19800919
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A7FD82

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Glare-Effect on personnel
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Instructor/check pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Response/compensation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_WPR10CA367.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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