Piper PA 28-161 and Cessna 172R accident near San Diego, California, October 25, 2003
On October 25, 2003 at about 7:25 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA 28-161 (N39494) and Cessna 172R (N72AF), were involved in the same accident near San Diego, California (Montgomery Field). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the student pilot's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the on ground collision with the Cessna 172R.
the pilot of the other airplane's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the collision with the Cessna 172R.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 25, 2003 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- San Diego, California · Montgomery Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA 28-161 · all PA 28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N39494 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7816663
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172R · all 172Rs on the register
- Registration
- N72AF · no longer on the register · serial 17280070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA 28-161 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Cessna 172R, N72AF, and a Piper PA-28-161, N39494, collided during taxi. The left wing and the propeller of the Piper respectively struck the rudder and right aileron of the Cessna. According to the pilot of the Piper, after arriving at the run-up area, the pilot attempted to slow the airplane. Instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle, but was unable to prevent the collision. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172R final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Cessna 172R, N72AF, and a Piper PA-28-161, N39494, collided during taxi. The left wing and the propeller of the Piper respectively struck the rudder and right aileron of the Cessna. According to the pilot of the Piper, after arriving at the run-up area, the pilot attempted to slow the airplane. Instead of using the brake pedals, he used the rudder pedals. The pilot closed the throttle, but was unable to prevent the collision. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper PA 28-161 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 28 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 2, 2003; 89.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O 320-D36 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KMYF
- Destination: KSDM Brown Field CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KMYF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172R from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 35 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming IO-360 Ser (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Flyers, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: KMYF San Diego CA
- Destination: KSDM Brown Field CA
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.