# NTSB CHI97LA161: Cessna 152, N68454, St. Cloud, MN, June 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Cloud, MN
- Coordinates: 45.550693, -94.170692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5507&lon=-94.1707&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 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA161

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of his clearance around the parked vehicle.  A factor was the location of the parked vehicle.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The student pilot was taxing for takeoff when the left wing of the airplane contacted a parked fire truck which was parked in front of the T-hangar area.  The pilot reported he saw the parked fire truck but thought he had sufficient clearance to continue taxiing.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68454, operated by St. Cloud State University Aero, Inc., and flown by a student pilot collided with the parked fire truck while taxiing for takeoff at the St. Cloud Regional Airport, St. Cloud, Minnesota.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The student pilot reported he was taxiing to runway 13 for takeoff when the accident occurred.  He reported he was on the taxiway near the T-hangars when he noticed a fire truck parked in front of hangar five.  He reported that he continued to taxi as he did not think there would be a conflict with the truck.  As he taxied by the truck the left wing contacted the truck rotating the airplane to the left so that the nose of the airplane also contacted the truck.

According to the Federal Aviation Inspector who traveled to the airport, another pilot reported having to taxi off the taxiway in order to maintain clearance with the truck.  The fire truck was parked in this location as a precautionary measure because 14 CFR Part 121 operations were taking place.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68454](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68454-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 15282302, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282302
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scsu Aero Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: STC
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: STC, St. Cloud Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 41 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC

## 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 19970609021689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970609021689A), Jun 9, 1997: Cessna 152, St Cloud, MN, Substantial damage. Wing tip hit fire truck then pivoted into truck with nose of 152. Looked at paper work momentarily. (-23) student was taxiing out for takeoff for solo…

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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