- Date
- August 21, 1993, 20:45 local (Aug 22, 1993, 00:45 UTC)
- Place
- Adrian, MI
- Injuries
- 4 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Aircraft
- N13923Cessna 172M
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report October 20, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930821031039A
- Case key
- 9292
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
an excessive taxi speed used by the pilot-in-command. A factor related to the accident was loose gravel on the ramp and inadequate airport maintenance by the airport personnel.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot began taxiing for departure. During the taxi process the pilot had to make a 180 degree turn to get to the proper taxiway. During the turn he noted the turning arc would not allow the airplane to clear two fuel trucks parked adjacent to the taxiway. The pilot stated he applied heavier braking. During the braking process, the airplane lost traction on loose gravel and slid toward the fuel truck. Its left wingtip collided with one of the fuel trucks during the turn.
Factual narrative
On August 21, 1993, at 2045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N13923, registered to Avitec, Incorporated, of Plymouth, Michigan, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when its left wingtip collided with a parked fuel truck while taxiing for takeoff. A flight plan was not filed for the proposed 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passengers reported no injuries. The flight was going to originate from Adrian, Michigan.
According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, two fuel trucks were parked along side the taxiway leading to the departure runway. The pilot stated the airplane was facing south on an unlit parking ramp. He stated he had intended using a taxiway which lead to Runway 05-23 that would require a 180 degree turn on the ramp. After start up, and the illumination of the airplane's lighting system, the pilot stated he began taxiing slowly. He said he performed a 180 degree left turn so that the airplane would be heading toward the taxiway leading to the departure runway.
During this turn he noted that the turning arc would take him too close to the fuel trucks. The pilot stated he applied right brake more forcefully, and that the airplane lost traction due to the thin layer of gravel on top of deteriorating asphalt. The left wingtip struck the fuel truck next to the taxiway.
The on-scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI). The PMI reported that N13923's left wing tip was crushed and its rear spar was bent aft at a point approximately two feet in from the wing tip.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N13923
- Reported as
- Cessna 172M
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17263039
- Airframe hours
- 4,571
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Avitec, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · August 3, 1993 · 58 hours before
- Airport
- ADG · Lenawee County
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 59 total · 59 in this make and model · 31 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Temperature
- 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.