# NTSB CHI03LA017: Cessna 172, N46459, Neenah, WI, October 17, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 2002, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Neenah, WI
- Coordinates: 44.160156, -88.469642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1602&lon=-88.4696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA017

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the post.  Factors included the post and the sun glare.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when the right wing impacted a metal fuel tank guardrail during taxi for takeoff.  The pilot reported that while he was taxiing from his hangar, the airplane's right wing hit a post next to the fuel depot.  He reported that the late afternoon sun was a factor.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 2002, at 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N46459, sustained substantial damage when the right wing impacted a metal fuel tank guardrail during taxi for takeoff.  The private pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing Brennard Airport (C79), a private airport near Neenah, Wisconsin, on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that while he was taxiing from his hangar, the airplane's right wing hit a post next to the fuel depot.  He reported that the late afternoon sun was a factor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46459-2020-02-12), registration cancelled 2020-02-12, S/N 17257282, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- 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: 17257282
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry Sherwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2002, 30 hours before
- Departed: C79, Neenah, WI
- Airport: 79C, Brennard

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 605 total, 375 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: ATW, 10 nm away

## 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 20021017033689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021017033689A), Oct 17, 2002: Cessna 172K, Neenah, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 17, 2002 at approximately 1630 CDT, the pilot of Cessna 172 N46459 was taxiing for takeoff at 79C rwy 36 when his right wing struck a steel…

## Other investigations on N46459 (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 CEN16LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA309), Aug 2, 2016: Cessna 172K (N46459), Neenah, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the vacuum pump from the engine, and his misconception…

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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