# NTSB GAA19CA468: Cessna 172, N13796, Gaithersburg, MD, July 27, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 27, 2019, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.168334, -77.166114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1683&lon=-77.1661&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA468
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99968/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99968
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA468

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The other pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the airplane while taxiing.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the other airplane while taxiing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/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), aircraft 1; 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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the Piper reported that, after landing and while taxiing back to his parking spot, he saw a Cessna holding short at the intersection to the same taxiway. He did not see the Cessna move, so he continued to taxi but then felt a "strong impact" as his airplane passed the Cessna. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that he was taking a passenger on a familiarization flight. After clearing the taxiway from the ramp, he maneuvered the Cessna to the taxiway intersection. He then saw the Piper taxi past him and believed he had adequate clearance, so he continued to maneuver and turned left onto the taxiway. While the instructor simultaneously instructed the passenger while taxiing, the Cessna's left wingtip impacted the Piper's engine and left aileron. The instructor added that he should have waited for the Piper to pass the airplane and should have spent more time briefing the passenger to reduce task saturation. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The Cessna sustained minor damage to the lower engine cowling and propeller. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the Piper reported that, after landing and while taxiing back to his parking spot, he saw a Cessna holding short at the intersection to the same taxiway. He did not see the Cessna move, so he continued to taxi but then felt a "strong impact" as his airplane passed the Cessna. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that he was taking a passenger on a familiarization flight. After clearing the taxiway from the ramp, he maneuvered the Cessna to the taxiway intersection. He then saw the Piper taxi past him and believed he had adequate clearance, so he continued to maneuver and turned left onto the taxiway. While the instructor simultaneously instructed the passenger while taxiing, the Cessna's left wingtip impacted the Piper's engine and left aileron. The instructor added that he should have waited for the Piper to pass the airplane and should have spent more time briefing the passenger to reduce task saturation. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The Cessna sustained minor damage to the lower engine cowling and propeller. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the Piper reported that, after landing, while taxiing back to his parking spot, he saw a Cessna holding short at the intersection to the same taxiway. He did not see the Cessna move so he continued to taxi but then felt a "strong impact" as his airplane passed the Cessna. The flight instructor of the Cessna reported that he was taking a passenger on a familiarization flight. After clearing the taxiway from the ramp, he maneuvered the Cessna to the taxiway intersection. He then saw a Piper airplane taxi past him and believed he had adequate clearance, so he continued to maneuver and turned left on to the taxiway. While simultaneously instructing the passenger during the movement, the Cessna's left-wing tip impacted the Piper's engine and left aileron. The instructor added that he should have waited for the Piper to pass the airplane and should have spent more time briefing the passenger to reduce task saturation. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The Cessna sustained minor damage to the lower engine cowling and propeller. The flight instructor and the pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the Piper reported that, after landing, while taxiing back to his parking spot, he saw a Cessna holding short at the intersection to the same taxiway. He did not see the Cessna move so he continued to taxi but then felt a "strong impact" as his airplane passed the Cessna. The flight instructor of the Cessna reported that he was taking a passenger on a familiarization flight. After clearing the taxiway from the ramp, he maneuvered the Cessna to the taxiway intersection. He then saw a Piper airplane taxi past him and believed he had adequate clearance, so he continued to maneuver and turned left on to the taxiway. While simultaneously instructing the passenger during the movement, the Cessna's left-wing tip impacted the Piper's engine and left aileron. The instructor added that he should have waited for the Piper to pass the airplane and should have spent more time briefing the passenger to reduce task saturation. The Piper sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The Cessna sustained minor damage to the lower engine cowling and propeller. The flight instructor and the pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N13796](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13796), registered now, S/N 17263006, 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: 17263006
- Year built: 1974
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Destination: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 32, 4,202 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N38657](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38657), registered now, S/N 28-7790574, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (181)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790574
- Year built: 1977
- Engines: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: WIFA (Washington International Flight ACAD LLC)
- Registered owner: WIFA (Washington International Flight ACAD LLC)
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Destination: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 32, 4,202 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor, aircraft N13796; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2019; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 945 total, 650 in this make and model, 831 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N38657; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2019; seat: right; flight hours: 419 total, 225 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KGAI

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20190727008061I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190727008061I), Jul 27, 2019: Cessna 172M, Gaithersburg, MD, Minor damage. Pilot was on taxi way. As he was taxiing past an intersection (A3), N13796 aircraft taxied into the left wing causing substantial damage to N38657. Weather…
- [Accident 20190727008052A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190727008052A), Jul 27, 2019: Piper PA-28-181, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot had just landed at gai on rwy 32. After clearing the active runway, pilot turned on taxi way (A3). As he was taxiing past an intersection, a second…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99968. 1.7 MB in all.

- Piper Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Piper%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Cessna Pilot's Record of Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Pilot%27s%20Record%20of%20Memorandum-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483888&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.

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