N612CB

On September 19, 2002, at 2100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N612CB, registered to Helicopter Structural and Maintenance, Inc., and operated by the private pilot, struck a pole while taxiing at Tampa North Aero Park in Lutz, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was originating from Tampa North Aero Park in Lutz, Florida, at the time of the accident.

The pilot was taxiing the airplane from the parking area to the runway. He observed an airplane parked to his right and watched to make sure his airplane would clear it. The pilot did not see a wooden post that was part of a porch on the FBO building to his left, and the leading edge of the airplane's left wingtip struck the post.

Examination of the airplane revealed the left leading edge wingtip was damaged, and the wing spar was bent. The pilot failed to respond to repeated requests for an accident report via regular mail, certified mail, and telephone.