N1385U

On November 20, 2001, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N1385U, registered to, and operated by Crystal Aero Group, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with vehicles while taxiing at Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The private-rated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage.

The pilot stated that after he had completed the flight, and while he was taxiing the aircraft, the right wing struck the extendable bucket on the back of a truck, which was parked on the side of the taxiway. The pilot said that the collision caused the aircraft to depart the taxiway to the right, and as it did so, the left wing then struck a parked van. The pilot said that the collision with both vehicles resulted in damage to both wings, as well as the top of the fuselage, at the wing attach points. According to the pilot, prior to the collision, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft or to any of the its systems.