# NTSB WPR11CA376: Cessna 172P, N216AF, San Diego, CA, August 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2011, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.809444, -117.136947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8094&lon=-117.1369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81449 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA376 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81449/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81449 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA376 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After landing, the student pilot was cleared to taxi to the ramp area at his flight school. The student pilot stated that he observed the fuel truck and misjudged the clearance. The left wing tip hit the parked fuel truck's ladder and the airplane pivoted to the left, where the leading edge of the wing struck the fuel truck. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial structural damage to the left wing’s leading edge. ## Factual narrative After landing, the student pilot was cleared to taxi to the ramp area at his flight school. The student pilot stated that he observed the fuel truck and misjudged the clearance. The left wing tip hit the parked fuel truck's ladder and the airplane pivoted to the left where the leading edge of the wing struck the fuel truck. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial structural damage to the left wing leading edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N216AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N216AF), registered now, S/N 17274165, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274165 - Airframe hours: 14941 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Armed Forces Aero Club Inc - Registered owner: Armed Forces Aero Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2010 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: MYF ## Other investigations on N216AF (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 WPR12CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA260), May 28, 2012: Cessna 172P (N216AF), Hemet, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to monitor and maintain clearance from an obstacle during taxi. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81449. 188 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.