# NTSB NYC91LA186: Cessna 172N, N738VP, Columbus, OH, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 23:30 local (Jul 17, 1991, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.009304, -82.920928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0093&lon=-82.9209&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 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA186

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND COLLISION WITH A PARKED AIRCRAFT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO TAXI ON THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINE AND NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING AT NIGHT WHEN HE STRUCK THE TAIL OF A PARKED AIRPLANE WITH HIS RIGHT WING.  THE FAA SAID THE RAMP AREA WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE CONTROL TOWER.  THE PILOT WAS USING THE TAXI LIGHT, HOWEVER HIS AIRPLANE WAS 60 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINE WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738VP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738VP-1995-06-13), registration cancelled 1995-06-13, S/N 17270274 (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: 172270274
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Skyport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unk/Na
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SKY, SANDUSKY, OH
- Airport: CMH, Columbus

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 120 total, 30 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910716031089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716031089A), Jul 16, 1991: Cessna 172N, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Wing struck a parked aircraft while taxiing to ramp. Was 60 feet off taxiway centerline.

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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