# NTSB IAD98LA041: Cessna 152, N5357H, Windsor Locks, CT, March 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Windsor Locks, CT - Location: 41.9390° N, 72.6843° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRADLEY INTL (BDL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9390&lon=-72.6843&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28287/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA041 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inattention during taxi, which resulted in the collision with a fuel truck. ## 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 - distance - inattentive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated student pilot on his second solo cross country flight landed at the unfamiliar airport and requested progressive taxi instructions. The student piloted turned onto the taxiway leading to the general aviation area. A linesman and another airplane waited for the student pilot to pass at the throat of the ramp. The linesman motioned for the student pilot to taxi straight ahead with a left turn in front of parked airplanes. After completion of the left turn, the linesman pointed the student pilot to a second linesman who was positioned at the student pilot's 11 o'clock. With his back pointed towards the student pilot and looking over his right shoulder, the second linesman reported that his left hand was up in the air and his right hand was pointing to the ground in front. The student pilot stated that he thought that the linesman wanted him to taxi straight ahead and to stop adjacent to two parked airplanes. While taxiing straight ahead and focused on the second linesman, the student pilot did not see the fuel truck parked to his right. The wing tip struck the mirror of the fuel truck, cracking the right rear spar. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1998, approximately 1330, eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N5357H, was substantially damaged when it collided with a fuel truck while taxiing at the Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The certificated student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the solo cross country training flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot was on his second solo cross country flight, which originated from the Schenectady County Airport, Schenectady, New York, at 1246. After landing on runway 24 at Bradley International Airport, the student pilot was cleared to taxi to the general aviation parking area from taxiway "Hotel". The student pilot reported that he was not familiar with the airport and requested progressive taxi instructions. Upon arrival at taxiway "Foxtrot", the student pilot made a left turn into the general aviation area. The student pilot recalled that near the throat of taxiway "Foxtrot", there was a linesman and a twin airplane holding for him to taxi pass. The linesman signaled to the student pilot to taxi straight ahead, then signaled to turn left in front of two parked airplanes. After completion of the left turn, the student pilot stated he was directed to a second linesman, who was positioned at his 11 o'clock. With his back turned to the student pilot and looking over his right shoulder, the second linesman reported that his left hand was up in the air, and his right hand was pointing to the ground in front of him. The student pilot stated that he thought that the linesman wanted him to taxi straight ahead and to stop adjacent to two parked airplanes. Focused on the linesman and where he thought he was being directed to go, the student pilot did not notice the parked fuel truck. The student pilot reported that there were no taxi lines to follow when the right wing tip struck the mirror on the fuel truck, cracking the right rear spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5357H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5357H), registered now, S/N 15284092, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15204892 - Airframe hours: 9130 - Engines: Continental O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richmor Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: SCH, SCHENECTADY, NY - Destination: BDL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BDL, Bradley International Apt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BDL ## 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 19980330004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980330004889A), Mar 30, 1998: Cessna 152, Windsor Locks, CT, Substantial damage. Misunderstood lineman signal. Taxied into fuel truck. Damaged left wing. (-23) pilot was taxiing into amr combs parking apron & hit parked fuel truck with… 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.