Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper decision to taxi on a motor vehicle access road at night, and his inadequate visual look out which resulted in the collision with an aluminum lamp post. A factor in this accident was the night condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 21, 1997, about 2100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N733LK, was substantially damaged when it struck a lamp post while taxing at Hook Field Municipal Airport (MWO), Middletown, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Blue Ash Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, earlier that day the pilot received 1 hour of dual instruction in the airplane to establish takeoff and landing currency. The pilot and passenger then departed on a local flight to MWO for dinner. After landing, when the pilot taxied the airplane along a motor vehicle access road, the airplane's right wing struck an aluminum lamp post damaging the right wing, the right side of the fuselage, and the door attaching point.
In the NTSB Form, 6120.1/2 the pilot stated:
"...Saw hangers where I wanted to be and a road leading up to hangers. Started up road taxing and struck light pole on this road."
The pilot's last flight before the day of the accident was on December 12, 1996. His reported total flight experience was 143 hours, of which 135 hours were in make and model.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC97LA065