# NTSB NYC97LA065: Cessna 172, N733LK, Middletown, OH, March 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1997, 21:00 local (Mar 22, 1997, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Middletown, OH - Coordinates: 39.559467, -84.420555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5595&lon=-84.4206&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 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA065 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to taxi on a motor vehicle access road at night, and his inadequate visual look out which resulted in the collision with an aluminum lamp post. A factor in this accident was the night condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) ## Analysis After landing in night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot taxied the airplane along a motor vehicle access road, and the airplane's right wing struck an aluminum lamp post. The pilot stated '...saw hangers where I wanted to be and a road leading up to hangers. Started up road taxing and struck light pole on this road.' ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1997, about 2100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N733LK, was substantially damaged when it struck a lamp post while taxing at Hook Field Municipal Airport (MWO), Middletown, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Blue Ash Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, earlier that day the pilot received 1 hour of dual instruction in the airplane to establish takeoff and landing currency. The pilot and passenger then departed on a local flight to MWO for dinner. After landing, when the pilot taxied the airplane along a motor vehicle access road, the airplane's right wing struck an aluminum lamp post damaging the right wing, the right side of the fuselage, and the door attaching point. In the NTSB Form, 6120.1/2 the pilot stated: "...Saw hangers where I wanted to be and a road leading up to hangers. Started up road taxing and struck light pole on this road." The pilot's last flight before the day of the accident was on December 12, 1996. His reported total flight experience was 143 hours, of which 135 hours were in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733LK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733LK), registered now, S/N 17268373, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268373 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Barbara F. Schmidt, doing business as Schmidt Aviation - Registered owner: Philip N. Schmidt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1997 - Departed: ISZ, CINCINNATI, OH - Destination: MWO, OH - Airport: MWO, Hook Field Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 135 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAY, 24 nm away ## 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 19970321003879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970321003879A), Mar 21, 1997: Cessna 172N, Middletown, OH, Substantial damage. Aircraft was taxiing when the right wing struck a lamp post on a service road. (-23) the accident occurred at the conclusion of a 14 CFR 91 pleasure flight in… ## Other investigations on N733LK (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD98LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA087), Aug 1, 1998: Cessna 172N (N733LK), Lebanon, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in inadequate obstacle (car) clearance during initial takeoff climb. A contributing factor is the pilot's decision to perform a tailwind… 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.