# NTSB NYC99LA104: Cessna 172, N5815E, Columbus, OH, May 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1999, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Columbus, OH - Coordinates: 39.979011, -82.979728 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9790&lon=-82.9797&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, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46198/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and his visual perception of the perimeter road as Taxiway Charlie. A factor in the accident was the absence of a sign identifying the perimeter road. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - fence - wrong taxi route - selected, pilot in command - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,perimeter fence - unmarked (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot requested a progressive taxi from the ground controller. The controller told her to taxi south, out of the 'Airnet ramp', and make a left turn to the east, onto Taxiway Charlie. The pilot taxied south, and noticed a 'C' (charlie) taxiway sign. She made a left turn onto a perimeter road, instead of the taxiway. After the left turn, the left wing of the airplane struck a fence. A review of photographs revealed that there was no sign identifying the perimeter road. Additionally, the airport diagram used by the pilot did not depict the perimeter road. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1999, about 1245 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172, N5815E, was substantially damaged while taxiing at the Port Columbus International Airport (CMH), Columbus Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. According to the pilot, she requested a progressive taxi to Runway 10L from the ground controller. The controller told her to taxi south, out of the "Airnet ramp", and make a left turn to the east, onto Taxiway Charlie. The pilot taxied south, and noticed a "C" (charlie) taxiway sign. She made a left turn onto a perimeter road, instead of the taxiway. After the left turn, the left wing of the airplane struck a fence. The pilot further stated that she had never been to CMH before. A review of photographs revealed that their was no sign identifying the perimeter road. However, the road is marked by dashed white lines at the center. Additionally, the airport diagram used by the pilot did not depict the perimeter road. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The Inspector observed spar damage to the left wing. According to representatives from the CMH Port Authority, the perimeter road has been in place for approximately 2 years. During that time, there have been no other known incidents or accidents in which a pilot mistook the road for a taxiway. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5815E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271942 - Airframe hours: 1524 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kathy H. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1998, 33 hours before - Departed: CMH - Destination: M21, GREENVILLE, KY - Airport: CMH, Port Columbus Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 603 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CMH ## 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 19990502020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990502020149A), May 2, 1999: Cessna 172N, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. On may 2, 1999, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N5815E, was substantially damaged while taxiing at the Port Columbus International Airport… 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.