Event CHI93LA336

Factual narrative

On August 21, 1993, at 2045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N13923, registered to Avitec, Incorporated, of Plymouth, Michigan, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when its left wingtip collided with a parked fuel truck while taxiing for takeoff. A flight plan was not filed for the proposed 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passengers reported no injuries. The flight was going to originate from Adrian, Michigan. According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, two fuel trucks were parked along side the taxiway leading to the departure runway. The pilot stated the airplane was facing south on an unlit parking ramp. He stated he had intended using a taxiway which lead to Runway 05-23 that would require a 180 degree turn on the ramp. After start up, and the illumination of the airplane's lighting system, the pilot stated he began taxiing slowly. He said he performed a 180 degree left turn so that the airplane would be heading toward the taxiway leading to the departure runway. During this turn he noted that the turning arc would take him too close to the fuel trucks. The pilot stated he applied right brake more forcefully, and that the airplane lost traction due to the thin layer of gravel on top of deteriorating asphalt. The left wingtip struck the fuel truck next to the taxiway. The on-scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI). The PMI reported that N13923's left wing tip was crushed and its rear spar was bent aft at a point approximately two feet in from the wing tip. THE PILOT BEGAN TAXIING FOR DEPARTURE. DURING THE TAXI PROCESS THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO GET TO THE PROPER TAXIWAY. DURING THE TURN HE NOTED THE TURNING ARC WOULD NOT ALLOW THE AIRPLANE TO CLEAR TWO FUEL TRUCKS PARKED ADJACENT TO THE TAXIWAY. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED HEAVIER BRAKING. DURING THE BRAKING PROCESS, THE AIRPLANE LOST TRACTION ON LOOSE GRAVEL AND SLID TOWARD THE FUEL TRUCK. ITS LEFT WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH ONE OF THE FUEL TRUCKS DURING THE TURN. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12