# NTSB SEA01LA171: Cessna 172M, N20675, Seattle, WA, September 8, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2001, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.440437, -122.28057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4404&lon=-122.2806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA171

## Probable cause

Pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi.  A fence 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB, and reported that shortly after landing, he was cleared to taxi the airplane to the northeast parking area via taxiway Alpha.  He reported that while traveling northbound on the taxiway he encountered an airplane that was traveling southbound on the same taxiway.  In an effort to avoid the oncoming (southbound) airplane, he maneuvered the airplane to the easterly edge of the taxiway and inadvertently collided with the temporary construction fence.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 2001, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N20675, sustained substantial damage after taxiing into a temporary construction fence at Boeing Field/ King County International Airport, Seattle, Washington.  The airplane is registered to the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological provisions prevailed.

The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated September 27, and reported that shortly after landing, he was cleared to taxi the airplane to the northeast parking area via taxiway Alpha.  He reported that while traveling northbound on the taxiway he encountered an airplane that was traveling southbound on the same taxiway.  In an effort to avoid the oncoming (southbound) airplane, he maneuvered the airplane to the easterly edge of the taxiway and inadvertently collided with the temporary construction fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20675](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20675), registered now, S/N 17261482, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- 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: 17261482
- Airframe hours: 2467
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John B. Fisher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2001, 4 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUNRIVER, OR
- Destination: BFI, Seattle, WA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field/King County Intl, runway 31, 10,001 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review January 17, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 190 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KBFI

## 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 20010908025409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010908025409A), Sep 8, 2001: Cessna 172M, Seattle, WA, No damage. (-23) While the pilot/owner was taxiing as the sole occupant of the aircraft, he maneuvered to the right side of the taxiway to avoid oncoming traffic, and the…

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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