Cessna 172M and Cessna 172S accident near Carlsbad, California, June 10, 2005
On June 10, 2005 at about 8:45 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172M (N1126U) and Cessna 172S (N587SP), were involved in the same accident near Carlsbad, California (Mc Clellan-Palomar airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain separation while taxiing, which resulted in a collision with another airplane.
the other pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain separation while taxiing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 2005 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Carlsbad, California · Mc Clellan-Palomar · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N1126U · no longer on the register · serial 17266855
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172S · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N587SP · registry record · serial 172S8518
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172M final · quoted from the NTSB record
While taxiing from the run up area to the runway, the airplane's right wing tip hit the tail section of another Cessna 172 that was holding in the run-up area awaiting a takeoff clearance. After being cleared for takeoff, the pilot had to taxi between a jet, also holding short of the runway, and the other Cessna 172.
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 172S final · quoted from the NTSB record
While holding in the run-up area awaiting a takeoff clearance, the right wing tip of another Cessna 172 that was taxiing to the runway from the run-up area hit the airplane's tail section. After being cleared for takeoff, the other pilot had to taxi between a jet, also holding short of the runway, and this 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 Cessna 172M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 210 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 63 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 8:45 pm
- Destination: CRQ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 8:23 pm from CRQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172S from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 227 in this make and model; 217 in the last 90 days; 95 in the last 30 days; 773 as pilot in command; 510 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Pinnacle Aviation Academy INC
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 8:45 pm
- Destination: CRQ
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Other NTSB records under N1126U the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX05LA199.