# NTSB IAD98LA019: Cessna 172P, N9912L, Augusta, ME, January 2, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1998, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, ME
- Location: 44.3207° N, 69.7973° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUGUSTA STATE (AUG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3207&lon=-69.7973&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA019

## Probable cause

The inadequate lookout of the pilot in command.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - vehicle
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

Snow and ice obstructed the taxiway lines.  The pilot was taxiing using a row of hangars to his right side to assist in judging the distance from parked airplanes on his left.  Focusing right and left, both the pilot and the pilot rated passenger did not notice the vehicle parked in front of the hangars.  The pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane impacted the vehicle with the right wing.  No mechanical problems were found with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On January 2, 1998, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N9912L, was substantially damaged as it collided with a parked vehicle while taxiing at the Augusta State Airport, Augusta, Maine.  The certificated private pilot and the pilot rated passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was file for the ferry flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane, registered to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Maxwell AFB, Alabama, departed the Northern Maine Regional/Presque Isle Airport, Presque Isle, Maine, at 1230.

The pilot reported that it snowed the previous day, and residual snow and ice were obstructing the taxiway lines.  The pilot recalled that as he was taxiing, he used a row of hangars to his right to assist in judging the distance from parked airplanes on his left.  Focusing their attention right and left, both the pilot and the passenger stated that they did not notice the vehicle parked in front of the hangars.  The pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane impacted the vehicle with the right wing.

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the airplane on January 7, 1998.  The examination revealed damage to the right wing spar, and upgraded this incident to an accident.  No mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9912L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9912L), registered now, S/N 17276648, built 1986 (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: 17276648
- Airframe hours: 2597
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1997, 40 hours before
- Departed: PQI, PRESQUE ISLE, ME
- Destination: AUG
- Airport: AUG, Augusta State Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 92 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F

## 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 19980102046059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980102046059A), Jan 2, 1998: Cessna 172P, Augusta, ME, Substantial damage. (.4) Snow and ice obstructed the taxiway lines. The pilot was taxiing using a row of hangars to his right side to assist in judging the distance from parked…

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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