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NTSB Report

July 1, 2004 · Cessna 172M · N71409

Winston Salem, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Winston Salem, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N71409
Operator
Triad Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA167

According to both pilots, after landing, the airplane was cleared to taxi to the north ramp. Both pilots stated that the CFI in the left seat took control of the airplane in order to position and park it. The pilot in control of the airplane at the time of the accident, CFI-left, stated, "while pushing the left rudder, [his] foot slipped down and off the [left] pedal." He stated that he then immediately "pushed full left rudder, but the right wing... hit one of the corner metal poles." The pilot not in control of the airplane at the time of the accident, CFI-right, stated that as the pilot in control "was beginning to set-up the aircraft's turn, his foot immediately slipped off of the rudder. This caused the aircraft's wing to hit a fence pole." Both pilots stated that the airplane was immediately shut down and assistance was sought. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing sustained leading edge spar damage and extensive skin buckling, and the right wing tip was crushed. The engine, landing gear, fuselage, and left wing were intact and undamaged. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence post, while taxing which resulted in a collision.

Full Narrative

On July 1, 2004, at 1500 eastern daylight time, N71409, a Cessna 172M, registered to and operated by Triad Air, Inc., collided with a fence post while taxiing after landing at Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot-in-command, a certified flight instructor seated in the left seat (CFI-left), and the certified flight instructor seated in the right seat, (CFI-right), were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The local flight originated at Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 1, 2004, at 1330. According to the operator, the flight had taken place prior to the accident for the purpose of an initial checkout for a newly hired flight instructor, CFI-right. According to both pilots, after landing, the airplane was cleared to taxi to the north ramp. Both pilots stated that the CFI-left took control of the airplane in order to position and park it. The pilot in control of the airplane at the time of the accident, CFI- left, stated, "while pushing the left rudder, [his] foot slipped down and off the [left] pedal." He stated that he then immediately "pushed full left rudder, but the right wing... hit one of the corner metal poles." The pilot not in control of the airplane at the time of the accident, CFI-right, stated that as the pilot in control "was beginning to set-up the aircraft's turn, his foot immediately slipped off of the rudder. This caused the aircraft's wing to hit a fence post." Both pilots stated that the airplane was immediately shut down and assistance was sought. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing sustained leading edge spar damage and extensive skin buckling, and the right wing tip was crushed. The engine, landing gear, fuselage, and left wing were intact and undamaged. Examination of the aircraft logbooks revealed that the right wing was replaced per Federal Aviation Regulations and procedures on July 23, 2004. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilots. Notification of this accident from the operator was received by the NTSB on August 12, 2004.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSmith Reynolds (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN71409
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTriad Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data