# NTSB CEN13CA452: Cessna 172N, N3012E, Tell City, IN, July 25, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2013, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Tell City, IN
- Coordinates: 38.017776, -86.688613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0178&lon=-86.6886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA452
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87640/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87640
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA452

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from an obstruction while taxiing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot said he was taxing to the fuel pump after he landed when he turned his focus away from making sure the airplane's left wing was clear of the fuel dock. Consequently, the left wing struck the dock and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and the accident could have been prevented if he had paid better attention to the airplane's distance from the obstruction.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said he was taxing to the fuel pump after he landed when he turned his focus away from making sure the airplane's left wing was clear of the fuel dock. Consequently, the left wing struck the dock and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and the accident could have been prevented if he had paid better attention to the airplane's distance from the obstruction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3012E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3012E), registered now, S/N 17271402, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271402
- Airframe hours: 1857
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence Keller
- Registered owner: Lawrence Keller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2013
- Departed: 14G, Fremont, OH
- Destination: TEL, Tell City, IN
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: TEL, Perry County Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 130 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87640. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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