N5232D

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172NS/N: 680143

Accident Details

Date
Monday, August 26, 2013
NTSB Number
ERA13LA381
Location
Miami, FL
Event ID
20130827X55544
Coordinates
25.647499, -80.433334
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s incapacitation due to a seizure during taxi.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
680143
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1979
Model / ICAO
172NC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172N

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
VELLA DAVID A
Address
PO BOX 853
City
SCOTTSBORO
State / Zip Code
AL 35768-0853
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 26, 2013, about 0720 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5232D, collided with a parked airplane after the pilot reported that he lost consciousness while taxiing at the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida. The student pilot was not injured and airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was registered to Three Seas Aviation LLC., and operated by ADF Airways under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a training flight.

The pilot stated that prior to the accident he was fully rested and performed a preflight inspection of airplane. He then taxied to the ramp hold position and contacted air traffic ground control for taxi instructions and that was the last thing he remembered. He lost consciousness and regained consciousness after his airplane collided with another airplane on the ramp. The pilot stated that he did not know why he lost consciousness and that it had never happened to him before. He went on to say that he never had any history of seizures, fainting or losing of consciousness before this event.

An examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane collided with the left engine of parked airplane. The accident airplane's engine mount and firewall were buckled.

A review of the pilot's most recent medical evaluation dated May 8, 2013, for his third class medical certificate revealed that the pilot was in good health. After the accident the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine denied his application until further review.

A review of the student pilot's medical file revealed that the 18 year old held a third class medical certificate dated May 8, 2013. Further review of the student pilot's medical file revealed that the student pilot did not have any waivers or limitations.

The student pilot was observed to have a grand mal seizure while taxiing. He was noted to be postictal (an altered state of consciousness occurring after a seizure characterized by drowsiness and confusion) when evaluated by emergency medical service. Work up thus far has included an emergency room visit with a normal head computed tomography and normal electrolytes.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13LA381