CHI97LA161

Factual narrative

On June 9, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68454, operated by St. Cloud State University Aero, Inc., and flown by a student pilot collided with the parked fire truck while taxiing for takeoff at the St. Cloud Regional Airport, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was originating at the time of the accident. The student pilot reported he was taxiing to runway 13 for takeoff when the accident occurred. He reported he was on the taxiway near the T-hangars when he noticed a fire truck parked in front of hangar five. He reported that he continued to taxi as he did not think there would be a conflict with the truck. As he taxied by the truck the left wing contacted the truck rotating the airplane to the left so that the nose of the airplane also contacted the truck. According to the Federal Aviation Inspector who traveled to the airport, another pilot reported having to taxi off the taxiway in order to maintain clearance with the truck. The fire truck was parked in this location as a precautionary measure because 14 CFR Part 121 operations were taking place. The student pilot was taxing for takeoff when the left wing of the airplane contacted a parked fire truck which was parked in front of the T-hangar area. The pilot reported he saw the parked fire truck but thought he had sufficient clearance to continue taxiing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12