CESSNA 172
Gila Bend, AZ — March 20, 2013
Event Information
| Date | March 20, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR13CA158 |
| Event ID | 20130321X80856 |
| Location | Gila Bend, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.96000, -112.67361 |
| Airport | Gila Bend Municipal Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.
Full Narrative
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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.