# NTSB GAA16CA253: Cessna 172, N917CP, Shawnee, OK, May 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2016, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Shawnee, OK - Coordinates: 35.357223, -96.942779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3572&lon=-96.9428&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 93227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA253 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remain a safe distance from obstacles while taxiing to parking, resulting in the airplane's wing striking a light pole. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072439), [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-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the taxi from the runway to parking, he made a left turn into his parking space. He reported that he had parked at this location many times before, and that his main concern at the time, was to ensure that he did not run over the rope tie downs on the parking space. During the left turn, although the main landing gear remained on the asphalt, the right wing extended beyond the asphalt, and into the grass area where the right wing struck a light pole. The light pole had been erected about 45 days prior, and was positioned in the grass, about 5 feet away from the asphalt. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the taxi from the runway to parking, he made a left turn into his parking space. He reported that he had parked at this location many times before, and that his main concern at the time, was to ensure that he did not run over the rope tie downs on the parking space. During the left turn, although the main landing gear remained on the asphalt, the right wing extended beyond the asphalt, and into the grass area where the right wing struck a light pole. The light pole had been erected about 45 days prior, and was positioned in the grass, about 5 feet away from the asphalt. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N917CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N917CP), registered now, S/N 172S8337, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8337 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 2989.5 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2015 - Departed: OUN, NORMAN, OK - Destination: SNL, Shawnee, OK - Airport: SNL, Shawnee Rgnl - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review August 2, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,191 total, 481 in this make and model, 4,325 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,012 total, 54 in this make and model, 975 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 22 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KSNL ## 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 20160514008399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160514008399A), May 14, 2016: Cessna 172S, Shawnee, OK, Substantial damage. The following is derived from the pilot statement. The ATP rated pilot struck a light pole when attempting to park on the Shawnee Airport ramp. The pilot?s… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93227. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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. --- 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.