# NTSB GAA19CA220: Cessna 172, N1897V, Prescott, AZ, April 23, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 23, 2019, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.654724, -112.419166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6547&lon=-112.4192&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 March 20, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99308/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99308
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA220

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi operations.

## 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 · 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: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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 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-from runway: 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 student pilot reported that, while taxiing the airplane to a parking spot, the right wing impacted a fence post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that while maneuvering the airplane into a parking spot the right wing impacted a fence post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1897V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1897V), registered now, S/N 17263785, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263785
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 12550
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pmc Aviation
- Registered owner: Pmc Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2018
- Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ
- Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ
- Airport: PRC, Ernest A Love Field
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KPRC

## 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 20190423015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190423015109A), Apr 23, 2019: Cessna 172M, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. While conducting first cross country solo, pilot flew from chd to prc. While taxing at to a parking spot at prc, pilot attempted to swing his aircraft to then…

## Other investigations on N1897V (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX02LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA026), Nov 13, 2001: Cessna 172M (N1897V), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB LAX00LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA256), Jul 8, 2000: Cessna 172 (N1897V), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot-in-command to adequately compensate for a crosswind condition and maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99308. 740 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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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