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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 10, 1993 · Cessna 172 · N4856D

Wilmington, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 10, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wilmington, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N4856D
Operator
Hiltz Vera
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA091

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, SHE COMPLETED A NORMAL LANDING AND WAS TAXIING TO PARKING WHEN A GROUND GUIDE ON THE RAMP APPROACHED THE AIRPLANE TO ASSIST WITH THE PARKING. AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE PARKING SPOT, THE GROUND GUIDE INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO TURN LEFT. AS THE PILOT STARTED THE TURN, THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING PANEL COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE ON THE RAMP

NTSB Probable Cause

THE GROUND PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE RIGHT WING COLLIDING WITH A UTILITY POLE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT

Full Narrative

On May 10, 1993, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172 , N4856D, collided with a utility pole while taxiing to parking at the New Hanover County Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina. The instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the collision. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed Wilmington at 0915 hours. According to the pilot, she had completed a local flight and was cleared to taxi to the ramp. Upon arriving at the parking area, a line boy came out to assist the pilot with the parking of the airplane; the pilot proceeded to follow the ground guide's instructions. As the ground guide instructed the pilot to turn left, the right wing collided with a utility pole.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Hanover International (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length7002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN4856D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHiltz Vera
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 9 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data