# NTSB IAD01LA104: Cessna 172P, N65057, Augusta, ME, September 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 2001, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Augusta, ME - Coordinates: 44.322223, -69.785552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3222&lon=-69.7856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53466/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper distance from a sign post during taxi. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - distance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign ## Analysis The pilot said he had returned from a local pleasure flight, and taxied the airplane to the operator's ramp. He said that the flight was only his second from that airport. The pilot taxied towards the fuel pumps to service the airplane, and an airport employee signaled to get his attention. The pilot said his attention was directed at the airport employee, and as the airplane approached the pumps, the leading edge of the right wing tip struck a sign post. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2001, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65057, was substantially damaged when it collided with a sign during taxi at the Augusta State Airport (AUG), Augusta, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, an airport employee described the airplane's movement on the airport and its collision with the sign. He said: "I saw him cross 26 towards the parking area. I needed to fuel the plane so I pointed towards the pumps. He saw me point and then turned towards the pump area. As I walked to the pumps, I turned to see where he was. As I turned to look, he hit the right wing on the Exxon sign in front of the FBO." During a telephone interview, the pilot said he had returned from a local pleasure flight, and taxied the airplane to the operator's ramp. He said that the flight was only his second from the Augusta State Airport. The pilot said he taxied towards the fuel pumps to service the airplane, and an airport employee signaled to get his attention. According to the pilot: "It was only my second time flying into the airport. As I taxied to the pumps, the employee raised his hands to get my attention. As I approached the pumps, I clipped the right leading edge -the right wing - about 6 inches in from the tip. The dent was about 10 inches to a foot long, and pushed back about an inch and a half towards the trailing edge. "I take full responsibility, because I was focused on the guy and his proximity to the propeller." The pilot reported 95 hours of flight experience, all of which were in the Cessna 172. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The weather at AUG about the time of the accident was clear skies with the winds from 340 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65057](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65057), registered now, S/N 17275677, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275677 - Airframe hours: 5596 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-O2J 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maine Instrument Flight - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 2001, 59 hours before - Departed: AUG, Augusta, ME - Airport: AUG, Augusta State Airport, runway 35, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 29, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 95 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: AUG ## 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 20010902039239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010902039239A), Sep 2, 2001: Cessna 172P, Augusta, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taxiing aircraft in vicinity of fuel pumps. Failed to consider proximity of light pole. Right wing leading edge struck light pole. Pilot was… ## Other investigations on N65057 (1) 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 NYC90LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA069), Feb 9, 1990: Cessna 172P (N65057), Sunapee Lake, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE LAKE, WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLANNED CONTACT WITH ITS FROZEN SURFACE. 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.