# NTSB GAA16CA186: Cessna 172, N8926V, Punta Gorda, FL, April 4, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 4, 2016, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.912221, -81.993331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9122&lon=-81.9933&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92992/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92992
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA186

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to avoid obstacles and maintain situational awareness while taxiing.

## 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 · 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)
- [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; 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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: 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)
- [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during taxi through a high traffic density ramp area, the left wing impacted a light pole, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during taxi through a high traffic density ramp area, the left wing impacted a light pole, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8926V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8926V), registered now, S/N 17264283, built 1974 (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 O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264283
- Year built: 1974
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Career Flight Training And Aircraft Rental LLC.
- Registered owner: Career Flight Training And Aircraft Rental LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 2015
- Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL
- Destination: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL
- Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 301 total, 263 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: PGD, 1 nm away

## 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 20160404002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160404002759A), Apr 4, 2016: Cessna 172M, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. During taxi into parking, pilot allowed left wing to strike a light pole adjacent to the ramp.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92992. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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