# NTSB SEA06CA066: Cessna 182D, N9971T, Sandpoint, ID, March 16, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 16, 2006, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Sandpoint, ID
- Coordinates: 48.299446, -116.560279
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2994&lon=-116.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA066

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object (snow blowing equipment) while taxiing.  The snow blowing equipment, and the pilot's failure to adequately maneuver the aircraft around snow berms were factors.

## 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
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While taxiing for takeoff and attempting to maneuver around snow berms to access the active runway, the airplane's left wing tip impacted a snow blower attachment, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he been better aware of the unusual situations in the operational environment.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 2006, approximately 1045 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182D, N9971T, sustained substantial damage after impacting a snow blowing unit while taxiing for takeoff at the Sandpoint Airport, Sandpoint, Idaho.  The airplane was registered to a private individual.  The certificated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the proposed 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight.

In a written report submitted to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff, and in order to avoid snow berms at various places on the taxiways, the airplane's left wing tip impacted a snow blower attachment, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.  The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he been more cognizant of the "not normal pieces of equipment" in the vicinity, a snow berm down the center of the taxiway, and the unusual situations in the operational environment.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9971T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9971T), registered now, S/N 18253071, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253071
- Engines: Continental O-470L reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald F. Hanes
- Registered owner: Donald F. Hanes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SZT, Sandpoint, ID
- Destination: SZT, Sandpoint, ID
- Airport: SZT, Sandpoint Airport, runway 01

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,045 total, 0 in this make and model

## 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 20060316003029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060316003029A), Mar 16, 2006: Cessna 182D, Sandpoint, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) During aircraft taxi operations left wing struck snow plow attachment, causing extensive damage to left wing tip, flaps and aileron. Left wing moved back…

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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