Summary
On October 14, 2018, a Cessna 172 (N73345) was involved in an incident near Vergennes, VT. 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 pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing.
The pilot reported that after landing on a 3,000ft by 90ft turf runway, he back taxied on the runway. During the back taxi, while traveling along the left edge of the runway, he moved as far to the left as possible to create as much separation for an airplane that was landing. He recalled that he was focused on the other airplane's landing when the left wing of his airplane collided with tall vegetation and a tree.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA024. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N73345.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that after landing on a 3,000ft by 90ft turf runway, he back taxied on the runway. During the back taxi, while traveling along the left edge of the runway, he moved as far to the left as possible to create as much separation for an airplane that was landing. He recalled that he was focused on the other airplane's landing when the left wing of his airplane collided with tall vegetation and a tree.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported that there were no 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# GAA19CA024