# NTSB WPR24LA320: Cessna 172S, N428DW, Chandler, AZ, May 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 11, 2024, 07:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.268435, -111.81633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2684&lon=-111.8163&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195233/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195233
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA320

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during taxi operations.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/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); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane to take off, but experienced a radio issue and subsequently decided to taxi back to an area near a group of hangars to troubleshoot the radio. While taxiing, the pilot attempted a right turn towards an opening between two hangars. The airplane’s wings struck each hangar on both sides of the airplane and sustained substantial damage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N428DW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N428DW), registered now, S/N 172S8708, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8708
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 9546
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arizona Cloudbusters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2023
- Airport: CHD, Chandler Muni, runway 04L/22R, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 24, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 218.6 total, 218.6 in this make and model, 25.9 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observed at: KCHD
- METAR: METAR KCHD 132347Z 02008KT 10SM FEW080 38/M04 A2973

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195233. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18109988&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120.1%20Final_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 827 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18422342&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA320%20Accident%20Photos%20Final-Rel.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.

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