# NTSB ERA21LA306: Cessna 172, N73334, Farmingdale, NY, July 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 27, 2021, 17:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NY - Coordinates: 40.728279, -73.414723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7283&lon=-73.4147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103578/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103578 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA306 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a fuel truck while taxiing ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed 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) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to 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 The student pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway, he noticed a fuel truck was in close proximity to the taxiway. After he assessed the situation and felt that he had enough room to taxi around the fuel truck on the left, he continued to taxi. However, while maneuvering around the vehicle he misjudged the clearance, and the left wing was substantially damaged when it collided with the fuel truck. The student reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73334](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73334), registered now, S/N 17267382, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - 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: 17267382 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7890.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-O2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Academy of Aviation - Registered owner: Heavy Metal Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2021, 14.6 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FRG, Republic - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 35.2 total, 35.2 in this make and model, 335.2 as pilot in command, 22.3 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: FRG - METAR: KFRG 272153Z 21011KT 8SM CLR 28/17 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP130 T02830172 ## 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 20210727006919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210727006919A), Jul 27, 2021: Cessna 172M, Farmingdale, NY, Substantial damage. On July 27, 2021 at approximately 2140Z (1740L), a Cessna 172, N73334, collided with fuel truck at the echo ramp area. Pilot was the sole occupant in the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103578. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12540122&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12539877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13783402&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s%20v1-Rel.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.