# Accident 20130320003499A: Cessna 172S, Gila Bend, AZ, March 20, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 20, 2013, 10:10 local time
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: WIWS
- Location: 32.9600° N, 112.6736° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9600&lon=-112.6736&mi=10
- Aircraft: N421ER, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N421ER) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172S (registry code 2072439, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (registry code 41597, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR13CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA158) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130320003499A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 3/20/2013 THE STUDENT PILOT LEFT DEER VALLEY AIRPORT (DVT) ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO GILA BEND MUNICIPAL (E63). AFTER LANDING AT 1000 HE TAXIED ON THE PARKING APRON ENROUTE TO PARKING THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE TAXIING THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FUELING STATION CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT HAND WING OUTBOARD AREA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR13CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA158), Mar 20, 2013: Cessna 172 (N421ER), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.

## Other reports on N421ER (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20260830012029I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260830012029I), Aug 30, 2026: Cessna 172S (N421ER), Santa Monica, CA, Minor damage. On August 30, 2026, pilot, [privacy data omitted], was operating [privacy data omitted] (Cessna 172S) at Santa Monica airport (ksmo). At approximately 1600…
- [Incident 20131216023609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131216023609I), Dec 16, 2013: Cessna 172S (N421ER), Wickenberg, AZ, Minor damage. On 12/16/2013 at approximately 0930 the aircraft N421ER, C-172 right wing leading edge struck a light pole while the student pilot was taxiing to parking. The…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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