# NTSB GAA16CA447: Cessna 172, N9480E, Williamsport, PA, August 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2016, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Williamsport, PA - Coordinates: 41.243331, -76.92472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2433&lon=-76.9247&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 January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA447 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93885/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93885 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA447 ## Probable cause The student pilot's distraction during taxi operations, which resulted in the airplane's left wing impacting a hangar. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/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 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that after he had landed he taxied to get fuel. He was waved around behind two parked airplanes. After he passed the first airplane, the left wing of the airplane impacted a hanger. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had remained focused "on the task of taxiing the airplane, rather than looking at the person/parking spot". ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that after he had landed he taxied to get fuel. He was waved around behind two parked airplanes. After he passed the first airplane, the left wing of the airplane impacted a hanger. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had remained focused "on the task of taxiing the airplane, rather than looking at the person/parking spot". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9480E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9480E), registered now, S/N 17272277, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272277 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 9255 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2016 - Departed: LNS, LANCASTER, PA - Destination: IPT, Williamsport, PA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: IPT, Williamsport Rgnl - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 43.5 total, 43.5 in this make and model, 4.6 as pilot in command, 43.5 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KIPT ## 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 20160823016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160823016309A), Aug 23, 2016: Cessna 172N, Williamsport, PA, Substantial damage. Student pilot was performing a cross country solo from klns to ipt. The student made a fuel stop in ipt and then was to proceed to mpo. While taxiing in for… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93885. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.