# NTSB IAD02LA085: Cessna 172N, N739GV, Williamsport, PA, August 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2002, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Williamsport, PA - Coordinates: 41.247501, -76.923889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2475&lon=-76.9239&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: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55491/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA085 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a building while taxiing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - hangar/airport building - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot initiated a left turn in front of a fixed base operator, to taxi to a runway. While looking to the right during the turn, the airplane's left wing struck a building. The student pilot had not previously practiced 180-degree turns while taxiing, and there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2002, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739GV, was substantially damaged when it impacted a hangar while taxiing at the Williamsport Regional Airport (IPT), Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the solo instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot reported that she had flown with her flight instructor in the traffic pattern on the day of the accident, and performed about seven touch-and-go landings. The flight instructor then asked her if she was comfortable with performing a solo flight in the traffic pattern. She agreed, and the flight instructor exited the airplane. The student pilot then initiated a left turn to return to the runway, and while looking to the right during the turn, the airplane's left wing struck a building. The student pilot reported that due to recent construction at the airport, she had to make an immediate 180-degree turn in front of the fixed based operator's building. She had not previously practiced 180-degree turns while taxiing, and came "too close to the building" during the maneuver. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, substantial damage was observed to the airplane's left main wing spar. Additionally, no mechanical deficiencies were noted. Weather, reported at Williamsport at 1053, included winds from 280 degrees at 4 knots, and visibility 6 miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739GV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739GV), registered now, S/N 17270540 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270540 - Airframe hours: 4980 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Margaret Balliet - Registered owner: Quarter To Two Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 2002, 100 hours before - Departed: IPT, Williamsport, PA - Destination: IPT - Airport: IPT, Williamsport Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IPT ## 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 20020805021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020805021539A), Aug 5, 2002: Cessna 172N, Williamsport, PA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 5, 2002, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739GV, was substantially damaged when it impacted a hangar while taxiing at the… ## Other investigations on N739GV (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 ERA24FA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA292), Jul 4, 2024: Cessna 172N (N739GV), Lock Haven, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain. - [NTSB NYC91LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA138), May 23, 1991: Cessna 172N (N739GV), Canadensis, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNHILL SLOPE OF THE RUNWAY. 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.