# NTSB ERA11CA371: Cessna 172M, N12477, North Adams, MA, June 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2011, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: North Adams, MA - Coordinates: 42.691112, -73.168609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6911&lon=-73.1686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80931 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80931/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80931 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA371 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis After landing at an airport, the pilot taxied to the fixed base operator in order to park the airplane. He was advised to park in the first space near the grass, but was unsure of the location of that space. The pilot taxied to the area where he thought he was supposed to park. He then turned the airplane toward his intended parking space and the right wing made contact with a light pole and was substantially damaged. The pilot was uninjured and reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies of the airplane. ## Factual narrative After landing at an airport, the pilot taxied to the fixed based operator in order to park the airplane. He was advised to park in the first space near the grass, but was unsure which space that was. The pilot taxied to the area where he thought he was supposed to park. He then turned the airplane toward his intended parking space and the right wing made contact with a light pole and was substantially damaged. The pilot was uninjured and reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12477](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12477), registered now, S/N 17262005, built 1973 (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: 17262005 - Airframe hours: 7647 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: South Mountain Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: South Mountain Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2011 - Departed: 1B1, Hudson, NY - Destination: AQW, North Adams, MA - Airport: AQW, Harriman-and-West Airport, runway 29, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 249 total, 201 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: AQW ## 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 20110619011689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110619011689A), Jun 19, 2011: Cessna 172M, North Adams, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot states he was confused were to park aircraft, and while turning aircraft into a parking spot, struck a light pole with right wing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80931. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - North Adams, MA Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=North%20Adams,%20MA%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photograph #1: Damage to Wing (item 3, .PDF, 679 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20Damage%20to%20Wing-Master.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.