# NTSB MIA97LA090: Cessna 172P, N98991, Jackson, TN, March 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 1997, 19:01 local (Mar 1, 1997, 01:01 UTC) - Place: Jackson, TN - Coordinates: 35.629543, -88.819984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6295&lon=-88.8200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxing. The reduced visibility was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - pole ## Analysis After touchdown the pilot transitioned to the taxiway to taxi to the ramp. He did not review the airport diagram due to being familiar with the airport. The pilot stated that while taxing he encountered a heavy rain shower and ground fog. He continued to the ramp following the yellow line; however, his taxispeed was too fast for the weather conditions that existed. He taxied onto the ramp, and was looking outside the airplane for the fixed base operator when his passenger said something. He realized the airplane had traveled off the ramp onto the grass. The airplane collided with a pole before he could apply the brakes. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 1997, about 1901 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N98991, registered to Civil Air Patrol Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 (other work) flight, collided with a pole while taxing. Instrument meteorological conditions (reduced visibility due to rain and ground fog) were reported by the pilot, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Nashville, Tennessee, about 1 hour 35 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he diverted to Jackson, Tennessee, due to weather. After landing rollout on runway 20, he transitioned to the taxiway to go to the local fixed base operator (FBO). He did not look at the airport diagram due to being familiar with the airport. A heavy rain shower came in from the west and there was some areas of ground fog, which reduced his visibility. He continued to taxi following the yellow line; however, his taxi speed was too fast for the weather conditions that existed, and he did not request any assistance from the flight service station. He taxied onto the ramp, and was looking outside the airplane for the FBO when his passenger said something. He realized the airplane had traveled off the ramp and was on the grass. The airplane collided with a pole before he could apply brakes. When asked what caused the accident, the pilot stated he should have stopped taxiing. He failed to maintain a visual lookout, while trying to locate the FBO and collided with the pole. Review of weather information obtained from Jackson, Tennessee, for the time period of the accident revealed no recorded record of rain or ground fog. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98991](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98991-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 17276393 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276393 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JWN, NASHVILLE, TN - Destination: MKL, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MKL, Mckellar-Sipes Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 768 total, 550 in this make and model, 633 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MKL ## 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 19970228002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970228002049A), Feb 28, 1997: Cessna 172P, Jackson, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft taxied clear of runway and taxiway, encountered patchy fog near turnoff, ran off hit a light pole. (.19) on February 28, 1997, about 1901 central… 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.