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ERA11CA371

2011-06-19 · North Adams, Massachusetts, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport AQW

Current FAA registration · N12477

Make / Model
CESSNA 172M
Year of manufacture
1973 · 38 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19730815
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A065FB

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing.

Factual narrative

After landing at an airport, the pilot taxied to the fixed based operator in order to park the airplane. He was advised to park in the first space near the grass, but was unsure which space that was. The pilot taxied to the area where he thought he was supposed to park. He then turned the airplane toward his intended parking space and the right wing made contact with a light pole and was substantially damaged. The pilot was uninjured and reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies of the airplane. After landing at an airport, the pilot taxied to the fixed base operator in order to park the airplane. He was advised to park in the first space near the grass, but was unsure of the location of that space. The pilot taxied to the area where he thought he was supposed to park. He then turned the airplane toward his intended parking space and the right wing made contact with a light pole and was substantially damaged. The pilot was uninjured and reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies of the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Pole-Awareness of condition - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_ERA11CA371.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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