Mooney MARK 22 and Cessna 172M accident near Apple Valley, California, January 3, 1990
On January 3, 1990 at about 11:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Mooney MARK 22 (N7716M) and Cessna 172M (N12963), were involved in the same accident near Apple Valley, California (Apple Valley airport). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY TO STOP HIS AIRCRAFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID A COLLISION.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY TO STOP HIS AIRCRAFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID A COLLISION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 3, 1990 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Apple Valley, California · Apple Valley · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Mooney MARK 22
- Registration
- N7716M · no longer on the register · serial 680007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N12963 · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Mooney MARK 22 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A MOONEY MARK 22 COLLIDED WITH A STATIONARY CESSNA 172 HOLDING ON A TAXIWAY AFTER THE MOONEY HAD LANDED AND CLEARED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE MOONEY PILOT HAD MADE TWO RIGHT TURNS PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THERE WERE NO RESTRICTIONS OR OBSTRUCTONS TO VISIBILITY AND THERE WAS NO REPORTED ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE MOONEY BY THE PILOT. HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING A MECHANICAL STEARING DIFFICULTY DURING THE TAXI OPERATIONS.
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 172M final · quoted from the NTSB record
A MOONEY MARK 22 COLLIDED WITH A STATIONARY CESSNA 172 HOLDING ON A TAXIWAY AFTER THE MOONEY HAD LANDED AND CLEARED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE MOONEY PILOT HAD MADE TWO RIGHT TURNS PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THERE WERE NO RESTRICTIONS OR OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISIBILITY AND THERE WAS NO REPORTED ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE MOONEY BY THE PILOT. HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING A MECHANICAL STEARING DIFFICULTY DURING TAXI OPERATIONS.
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 Mooney MARK 22 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,350 hours in all; 480 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,680 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-541-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNO Chino CA at 9:45 pm
- Destination: APV Apple Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 6,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,748 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Midfield Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 6,500 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.