# NTSB CHI93LA336: Cessna 172M, N13923, Adrian, MI, August 22, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1993, 20:45 local (Aug 22, 1993, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Adrian, MI - Coordinates: 41.890079, -84.040016 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8901&lon=-84.0400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9292/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA336 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - vehicle ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13923), registered now, S/N 17263039, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263039 - Airframe hours: 4571 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19930821031039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930821031039A), Aug 21, 1993: Cessna 172M, Adrian, MI, Substantial damage. Wing struck a fuel truck taxiing for departure. Failed note turn radius. Braked but slid on loose gravel. 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.