# NTSB SEA03CA162: Cessna R172K, N758LW, Idaho Falls, ID, July 17, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2003, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Idaho Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 43.514446, -112.070274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5144&lon=-112.0703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA162

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid a parked aircraft while taxiing.

## 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 - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

The private pilot reported that while taxiing, from the parking area to the active runway, he encountered another airplane taxiing in the opposite direction on the same taxiway.  He reported that while maneuvering to the left to avoid the oncoming traffic, he inadvertently collided with a parked aircraft.  The taxiing airplane's left wing contacted the right wing of the parked airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 2003, about 1330 mountain daylight time, a Cessna R172K, N758LW, sustained substantial damage during an on-ground collision with a parked, unoccupied, Cessna 182 while taxiing to the active runway (20) at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls, Idaho.  The airplane 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.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that while taxiing from the parking area to the active runway, he encountered another airplane taxiing in the opposite direction on the same taxiway.  He reported that while maneuvering to the left to avoid the oncoming traffic, he inadvertently collided with a parked aircraft.  The taxiing airplane's left wing contacted the right wing of the parked airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758LW), registered now, S/N R1723190, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723190
- Engines: Continental IO-360-KB reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freddie L. Sermon
- Registered owner: Avcenter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: Idaho Falls, ID
- Airport: IDA, Fanning Field, runway IDA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 216 total, 186 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030717017269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030717017269A), Jul 17, 2003: Cessna R172K, Idaho Falls, ID, Minor damage. (-23) 7/17/03-Airplane (N758LW) was taxiing from ramp to taxiway. He noticed another airplane taxiing from taxiway to ramp (N20801). N20801 stopped and waited…

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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