# NTSB WPR13CA371: Cessna 172H, N8160L, Metaline Falls, WA, August 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2013, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Metaline Falls, WA - Coordinates: 48.837776, -117.283607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8378&lon=-117.2836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87782/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87782 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA371 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a windsock pole while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taxiing to the north, on the west side of the runway outside of the runway markers in preparation for takeoff. While maneuvering the airplane around a pothole, he lost sight of the windsock pole in the clutter of trees lining the airport boundary. Subsequently, the left wing struck the windsock pole, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taxiing to the north, on the west side of the runway outside of the runway markers in preparation for takeoff. While maneuvering the airplane around a pothole, he lost sight of the windsock pole in the clutter of trees lining the airport boundary. Subsequently, the left wing struck the windsock pole, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8160L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8160L), registered now, S/N 17256360, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17256360 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3764 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dier Joseph M Sr - Registered owner: Dier Joseph M Sr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2013 - Departed: 09S, Metaline Falls, WA - Destination: 65S, Boundry, CO - Airport: 09S, Sullivan Lake State, runway 16, 1,765 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 614 total, 612 in this make and model, 614 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20130814014779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130814014779A), Aug 14, 2013: Cessna 172H, Metaline Falls, WA, Substantial damage. Airman taxies aircraft for departure (at unimproved airport), and in so doing tries to avoid vertical standing runway edge markers, holes in the runway, and a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87782. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406801&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.