# NTSB LAX96LA073: Cessna 172, N8987V, Mohave Valley, AZ, December 12, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1995, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Mohave Valley, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.860767, -114.509727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8608&lon=-114.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA073

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to assure that clearance was maintained while taxiing in proximity of buildings at an excessive taxi speed.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was taxiing in at completion of his fourth solo flight. He said he was taxiing too fast as he approached the ramp area.  When he realized that wing tip clearance was questionable he applied wheel brakes but the right wingtip impacted a hangar and pivoted the aircraft to the right.  When he applied engine power in an effort to straighten out the aircraft the nose pivoted to the right even faster and the propeller cut through the hangar door.  There were no mechanical problems.

## Factual narrative

On December 12, 1995, at 1100 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N8987V, impacted a hangar while taxiing to the ramp after landing at Eagle Airpark, Mohave Valley, Arizona.  The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the student pilot was uninjured.  The flight originated at Eagle Airpark as a local area solo flight at 1000 hours.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was taxiing in at completion of his fourth solo flight.  He stated that he was taxiing too fast as he approached the ramp area.  When he realized that wing tip clearance was questionable, he applied wheel brakes but the right wingtip impacted a hangar and pivoted the aircraft to the right.  The pilot applied engine power in an effort to straighten out the aircraft, however, this resulted in the nose pivoting to the right even faster.  The propeller of the aircraft cut through the hanger door on impact.  The aircraft came to rest with the nose inside the hangar back to the wing leading edge.  He reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8987V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8987V), registered now, S/N 17264343, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17264343
- Airframe hours: 3097
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tookie'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1995, 28 hours before
- Departed: AO9
- Airport: A09, Eagle Airpark, runway 36, 2,400 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19951212040539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951212040539A), Dec 12, 1995: Cessna 172M, Bullhead City, AZ, Substantial damage. Taxiing too fast to ramp a wing struck hangar. Pivoted. Added power to stop turn. Prop made a hole in door.

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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