Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 12, 2000 · Cessna 172P · N53201

Friday Harbor, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Friday Harbor, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53201
Operator
Gary a Card
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA00LA179

The Cessna 172 (N53201) was taxiing south toward the active runway (16). The Cessna 172 pilot reported that as he approached the airport's fuel island, he noted an aircraft fueling on the outside (taxiway side) of the fueling island. He also stated that he noted a Cessna 182 (N3347F) taxiing toward him, coming north. The Cessna 172 pilot reported that the Cessna 182 'continued to taxi for a moment and then stopped, engine idling, somewhat off the left side of the taxiway, but not off the hard surface and abeam and directly across from the fueling aircraft', which, according to the Cessna 172 pilot, 'considerably narrowed the available taxiway.' The Cessna 172 pilot reported that he then attempted to taxi between the Cessna 182 and the aircraft at the fueling island. As the Cessna 172 pilot attempted to taxi between the two aircraft, the Cessna 172's left wing struck the Cessna 182's left wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The Cessna 172 pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the Cessna 182. Factors included aircraft parked/standing on the taxiway and the refueling area, and a congested/confined taxiway.

Full Narrative

On September 12, 2000, approximately 1515 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N53201, while taxiing for takeoff at Friday Harbor, Washington, collided with a Cessna 182J, N3347F. At the time of the collision, the Cessna 182, which had just landed, was stopped on the taxiway with its engine running. The Cessna 172 was substantially damaged in the collision, and its private pilot was not injured. The private pilot of the Cessna 182 was not injured, and the Cessna 182 received minor damage. At the time of the accident, the Cessna 172 was preparing to depart on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan to its home base of King County International Airport/Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, on a 14 CFR 91 personal flight. The Cessna 182 pilot did not report his departure point, although the Cessna 182 was registered to a company in Friday Harbor. There was no record of a flight plan being filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight of the Cessna 182. Visual meteorological conditions, with visibility of 10 miles, were reported at Friday Harbor at 1453. A statement prepared by the Cessna 172 pilot stated that he was taxiing south toward the active runway (16) at the time. He reported that as he approached the fuel island, he noted an aircraft fueling on the outside (taxiway side) of the fueling island. He also stated that he noted the Cessna 182 taxiing toward him at that time, coming north. The Cessna 172 pilot reported that the Cessna 182 "continued to taxi for a moment and then stopped, engine idling, somewhat off the left side of the taxiway, but not off the hard surface and abeam and directly across from the fueling aircraft", which, according to the Cessna 172 pilot, "considerably narrowed the available taxiway." The Cessna 172 pilot reported that he then attempted to taxi between the Cessna 182 and the aircraft at the fueling island. As the Cessna 172 pilot attempted to taxi between the two aircraft, the Cessna 172's left wing struck the Cessna 182's left wing. The Cessna 182 pilot reported that after landing, he taxied to where the collision happened, pulling to the edge of the asphalt to wait for the other aircraft to pass by. The Cessna 182 pilot stated that he "waited at the apron by [the] fuel pumps so [the Cessna 172] would have more room to pass." The Cessna 182 pilot reported that the wing tips of the two aircraft then collided.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PDT
Nearest AirportFriday Harbor (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53201
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGary a Card
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160 | Continental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data