# NTSB ERA24LA021: Cessna 172, N7607T, Orangeburg, SC, October 21, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 21, 2023, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Orangeburg, SC - Coordinates: 33.464015, -80.856435 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4640&lon=-80.8564&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: 2 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/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193303/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193303 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA021 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fuel truck while taxiing. Also contributing was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the student pilot. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072404), [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 · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the student pilot were practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings. After completing two successful landings, the student pilot was taxiing back to the runway when the airplane drifted to the right and the right wing impacted a fuel truck parked next to the taxiway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7607T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7607T), registered now, S/N 47207, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47207 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 3576.6 - Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTORS O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OGB, Orangeburg Muni, runway 23, 4,508 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 81; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 26, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,371 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,350 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 62; injuries: none; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: OGB - METAR: METAR KOGB 211653Z AUTO 30007G17KT 280V340 10SM CLR 22/05 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP096 T02170050 ## 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 20231021017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231021017529A), Oct 21, 2023: Cessna 172A, Orangeburg, SC, Substantial damage. The aircraft's right wing contacted a stainless steel ladder built into a fuel truck that was parked on the edge of the ramp. The impact bent the ladder and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193303. 2.6 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=16307991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA021%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16308612&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA24LA021-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.