# NTSB SEA02LA017: Cessna 172N, N733XW, Snohomish, WA, November 24, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 2001, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Snohomish, WA - Coordinates: 47.939479, -121.999649 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9395&lon=-121.9996&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 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53841/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA017 ## Probable cause The student pilot misjudged the distance from a fence during taxi. The flight instructors inadequate supervision and the fence were factors. ## Analysis While the flight instructor was scanning the area for traffic, the student pilot was maneuvering the aircraft as close as possible to the end of the runway in preparation for a short field takeoff. The student misjudged the distance from the fence that borders the airport and during a right turn, the left wing struck the chain link fence. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 2001, at 1220 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733XW, registered to and operated by Boeing Employees Flying Association as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a fence during taxi for takeoff at Harvey Field, Snohomish, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was departing to Renton, Washington. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was at the controls and maneuvering the aircraft to position it as close as possible to the end of the runway in preparation for a short field takeoff. The instructor stated that while he was scanning the area for traffic, the student made a right hand turn toward the runway and misjudged the distance from the fence that borders the runway. During the turn, the left wing struck the fence. Both pilots exited the aircraft to inspect the damage and noted a dent in the leading edge, near the wing tip. The aircraft was taxied back to a maintenance facility where a mechanic looked at the damage. The mechanic told the pilots that the aircraft was okay to fly. The flight instructor and the student then flew the aircraft back to Renton. It was later determined by the flying associations mechanic that the damage to the wing was substantial. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - fence (contributing factor) - distance - misjudged, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733XW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733XW-2007-08-16), registration cancelled 2007-08-16, S/N 17268640 (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: 17268640 - Airframe hours: 7625 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Boeing Employees Flying Assoc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2001, 24 hours before - Departed: Snohomish, WA - Destination: RNT, Renton, WA - Airport: S43, Harvey Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 22, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 1,944 total, 591 in this make and model, 1,944 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 20011124036409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011124036409A), Nov 24, 2001: Cessna 172N, Snohomish, WA, No damage. (-23) Student pilot was manipulating the controls during this instructional flight. He was making a 360 clearing turn in the "run-up" area prior to takeoff… ## Other investigations on N733XW (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 SEA07CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA183), Jun 26, 2007: Cessna 172N (N733XW), Greenwater, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight encounter with a sudden windshift during the takeoff initial climb, to which the certified flight instructor responded by aborting the takeoff and landing off the end of the runway. 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. --- 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.