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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 18, 2003 · Cessna 172R · N864CP

Daytona Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172R
Tail Number
N864CP
Operator
Phoenix East Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA03LA144

Both aircraft, N431ER a Cessna 172S and N864CP a Cessna 172R, were at the run-up area for departure on runway 25R. The Cessna 172R was positioned behind the Cessna 172S. The student pilot requested clearance for takeoff before and was instructed by the tower to maneuver around for takeoff. As the student pilot attempted to maneuver his airplane, his left wing struck the tail, rotating his airplane further left until his propeller struck the trailing edge of the right wing. Following the collision, the pilot and flight instructor shut down their engine, secured the airplane and the flight instructor proceeded to assist the student pilot in securing his airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted in a ground collision.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 2003, about 0935 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N864CP, registered to and operated by Phoenix East Aviation, Inc., struck a Cessna 172S, N431ER, registered to and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, while taxiing for takeoff at the Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flights. Both of the airplanes were substantially damaged. The student pilot aboard N864CP reported no injuries. The commercial-rated pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI), and student pilot aboard N431ER, reported no injuries. The flights were originating at the time of the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident scene, both aircraft were at the run-up area for departure on runway 25R. N864CP was the third airplane holding behind N431ER. The pilot of N864CP recieved clearance for takeoff before N431ER, and was instructed by the tower to manuever around the airplane in front, for takeoff. As the pilot of N864CP turned his airplane, the left wing struck the tail of N431ER, turning N864CP further left until his propeller struck the trailing edge of N431ER's right wing. The pilot of N864CP stated that upon reaching the end of the taxiway he positioned himself behind two other airplanes to perform his runup. When he was cleared for takeoff he attempted to maneuver around N431ER, the airplane in front of him. He said he had "very little radius to turn behind him." During the turn, his wing tip struck the rudder of N431ER which "swerved" his airplane to the left and into the right wing of N431ER. At this point, he "chopped the power." The pilot of N431ER stated that the airplane behind them, N864CP, was attempting to taxi around them for takeoff when his left wing struck their rudder, "causing him to swerve towards us hitting our right wing with his prop." At this point, they shut down the engine, secured the airplane and moved to a safe distance. The flight instructor riding in the right seat of N431ER then returned to N864CP to assist the pilot in securing his airplane. The flight instructor on board N431ER acting as a check pilot stated that a few seconds after hearing air traffic control clear N864CP for takeoff, he felt an "impact in the tail and a bump in the rudder pedals." He looked out of the right window and saw N864CP's propeller striking the trailing edge of his airplane's right wing. He shut down the engine, secured the airplane and proceeded to assist the pilot of N864CP in securing his airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:35 EDT
Nearest AirportDaytona Beach International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172R
Tail NumberN864CP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhoenix East Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 160 | Lycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 19 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 19 · First Class · None
Crew 3Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data