Summary
On March 20, 2013, a Cessna 172 (N421ER) was involved in an incident near Gila Bend, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.
The student pilot reported that while taxiing to the ramp he misjudged the airplane's wing distance from the upper part of a fuel tank at the fueling station. The left wing contacted the tank and was substantially damaged. The pilot's taxi route was actually on the parking apron instead of the taxiway, which brought the airplane within close proximity to the fueling station.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA158. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N421ER.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that while taxiing to the ramp he misjudged the airplane's wing distance from the upper part of a fuel tank at the fueling station. The left wing contacted the tank and was substantially damaged. The pilot's taxi route was actually on the parking apron instead of the taxiway, which brought the airplane within close proximity to the fueling station.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA158