# NTSB ATL02LA152: Cessna 150, N50347, Lakeland, FL, August 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2002, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.9925, -82.019721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9925&lon=-82.0197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO-15 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55387/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout while taxiing to parking resulting in an on-ground collision with a pole. A related factor was the diverted attention to the lineman. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - pole - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was taxiing to the ramp for parking when he observed a lineman run out to direct him around two other parked airplanes. His attention was focused on adequate clearance for airplane off his right, and on the lineman directing him forward. He did not notice the pole on the tarmac edge and he did not observe the stop signal from the lineman. He continued forward and the wing collided with the pole. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing tip and wrinkling at the wing root. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane before the collision. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2002, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N50347, registered to a private owner, collided with a pole on the parking ramp while taxiing at the Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The trailing edge of the left wing at the wing root was wrinkled and the flap was touching the rear window. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Tampa, Florida, at 1330. The pilot stated after landing he taxied to the terminal. He saw the lineman run out to direct him around two other airplanes parked in front of the terminal. His attention was focused on adequate clearance for the airplane on his right, and on the lineman directing him forward. He did not notice the pole at the tarmac edge was about 4 to 6 inches in from his wing, and he did not see an arms crossed stop signal from the lineman. "My focus was on him, however it is also my responsibility to see/avoid this obstacle." The lineman stated the airplane entered the ramp from the east side of the taxiway. The lineman waved his hands to get the pilot's attention. When the pilot made his way around a parked Lear jet, the lineman pointed to where he wanted the pilot to park. The pilot approached the grass at an angle. The pilot maneuvered the airplane about 6 feet from the grass and the light pole. He noticed the airplane might collide with the pole and gave the pilot the stop signal, but the pilot did not see the stop signal. The pilot's attention was focused forward, which was toward the grass and the pole. The Air Traffic Manager for Lakeland Tower stated, while eating lunch he watched N50347 a Cessna 152 taxi into a light pole on the ramp. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing tip and wrinkling at the wing root. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane before the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50347](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50347), registered now, S/N 15069244 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069244 - Airframe hours: 4537 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven M. Sowell - Registered owner: Charles W. Kinder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2001, 7 hours before - Departed: 3FD1, Tampa, FL - Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland-Linder Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 15, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 22 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LAL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020805026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020805026499A), Aug 5, 2002: Cessna 150H, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was taxiing into the newly-constructed parking ramp/terminal at Lakeland Regional Airport. He was maneuvering to avoid a parked airplane on his… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.