# NTSB WPR11CA294: Cessna 172N, N5366J, Olympia, WA, June 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2011, 18:00 local (Jun 26, 2011, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Olympia, WA - Coordinates: 46.966667, -122.900001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9667&lon=-122.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 80916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80916/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80916 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported leaving his covered parking spot and beginning a slow taxi towards the main taxiway. During his taxi, the pilot observed a stationary airplane in front and to his left with the propeller spinning. The pilot attempted to make eye contact with the person in the other airplane but was unsuccessful. Based on the stationary airplane's position, the pilot assumed that he could clear the spinning propeller by staying to the right of the yellow line. As the pilot was passing the other airplane he heard a loud noise as the left wing of the airplane collided with the propeller and sustained substantial damage. The propeller of the stationary airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The stationary airplane was undergoing a post maintenance equipment test with no intent for flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported leaving his covered parking spot and beginning a slow taxi towards the main taxiway. During his taxi, the pilot observed a stationary airplane in front and to his left with the propeller spinning. The pilot attempted to make eye contact with the person in the other aircraft but was unsuccessful. Based on the stationary airplane's position, the pilot assumed that he could clear the spinning propeller by staying to the right of the yellow line. As the pilot was passing the other airplane he heard a loud noise as the left wing of the airplane collided with the propeller and sustained substantial damage. The propeller of the stationary airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The stationary airplane was undergoing a post maintenance equipment test with no intent for flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5366J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5366J), registered now, S/N 17273764, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273764 - Airframe hours: 5265 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ireland Donald E - Registered owner: Ireland Donald E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2011, 27 hours before - Departed: KOLM, Olympia, WA - Destination: S21, Sun River, OR - Airport: KOLM, Olympia Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 21, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 490 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KOLM ## 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 20110625011402A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110625011402A), Jun 25, 2011: Cessna 172N, Olympia, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was taxing from parking to ramp area when the left wing tip, struck the turning propeller of N300ZX. Pilot didnot move to the right to avoid contact… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80916. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 510 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Cessna 172 Aileron Damage - Courtesy of FAA (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Cessna%20172%20Aileron%20Damage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Cessna 177 Propeller Damage - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Cessna%20177%20Propeller%20Damage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Position of Cessna 177 & Cessna 172 After Accident - Courtesy of FAA (item 4, .PDF, 739 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Position%20of%20Cessna%20177%20%26%20Cessna%20172%20After%20Accident%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.