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NTSB Report

September 28, 2004 · Cessna 172H · N189W

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N189W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04CA245

The 52-hour student pilot reported that while taxiing to the parking area after landing, he heard a "loud bang on the left side of the airplane" as the airplane moved to the left. After powering down the airplane, the student pilot exited the airplane and realized the left wing struck a parked aircraft. The student pilot added that he was on his first solo cross-country flight and became overwhelmed with anxiety. The student pilot eventually became lost and decided to land at the first available airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked aircraft while taxiing. A contributing factor was the student pilot's anxiety attack.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 2004, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H single-engine airplane, N189W, sustained substantial damage following an on ground collision with a parked airplane while taxing after landing at the West Houston Airport (IWS), near Houston, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Windsock Aviation Inc., of College Station, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Easterwood Field Airport (CLL), near College Station, Texas, at approximately 1200, with the intended destination of Weiser Air Park (EYQ), near Houston, Texas. The 52-hour student pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on his first solo cross-country flight from EYQ to CLL, he became overwhelmed with anxiety and wasn't sure where he was. After locating an airport nearby, he decided to land. While taxiing to the parking area after landing at IWS, he heard a "loud bang on the left side of the airplane" as the airplane suddenly moved to the left. After powering down the airplane, the student pilot exited the airplane and realized the left wing struck a parked Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the outboard leading edge of the left wing, aileron, and flap were structurally damaged. Examination of airplane that was parked revealed it sustained minor damage to the engine. At 1253, the automated surface observing system at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), near Houston, Texas, located 19 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind variable at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 13,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Houston Airport (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length3953 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN189W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data