# NTSB CEN26LA167: Cessna 172, N84794, Topeka, KS, April 17, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 16, 2026, 19:00 local (Apr 17, 2026, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Topeka, KS - Coordinates: 39.068823, -95.622376 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0688&lon=-95.6224&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202838/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202838 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA167 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing which resulted in a collision with fence poles on either side of a gate which was not intended for airplanes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause) ## Analysis The operator reported that the student pilot was cleared by air traffic control to taxi behind another airplane. While taxiing, the other airplane witnessed the student pilot turn the airplane off the taxiway, taxi through a row of hangars, and onto the main vehicle access road that led into the airport. The student pilot then attempted to taxi the airplane through an access gate (for cars) that was too narrow for the airplane, and both wings struck the gate posts which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. An airport rescue and fire fighter asked the pilot to recount the moments before impact with the gate. The student pilot stated, “to be honest, I forgot I had wings.” The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84794](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84794), registered now, S/N 17258615, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258615 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2144.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Odyssey Aircraft LLC - Registered owner: Odyssey Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 2026 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TOP, Philip Billard Municipal Airport - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KTOP - METAR: METAR KTOP 162353Z 17011KT 10SM CLR 26/15 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP074 T02560150 10283 20256 55009= ## 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 20260416008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260416008039A), Apr 16, 2026: Cessna 172K, Topeka, KS, Substantial damage. On April 17, 2026, the wichita FSDO was notified of an accident involving a Cessna 172K at phillip Billard airport (top), Topeka, KS. A student pilot received… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202838. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20483139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA167%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20371518&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA167%20-%20PHOTOS-Rel.pdf - Witness statement - ARFF (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20483246&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA167%20-%20WITNESS%20-%20ARFF_Redacted-Rel.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. --- 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.