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ERA11CA387

2011-07-02 · Weirsdale, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 97FL

Current FAA registration · N1953Z

Make / Model
CESSNA 150C
Year of manufacture
1962 · 49 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES (100 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19621019
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A17D97

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the stopped trailer while taxiing.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The airport was a private, uncontrolled fly-in community and the roads were designated taxiways. The pilot observed a truck and trailer coming towards him, and noted that the driver had pulled to the side to let him pass. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check his power setting, as the taxiway was on an upslope. He thought he had adequate clearance from the trailer; however, the left wing struck the top of the trailer as he passed, pulling the airplane to the left. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane and reported structural damage to the left wing. According to the pilot, he was taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The airport was a private, uncontrolled fly-in community and the roads were designated taxiways. The pilot observed a truck and trailer coming towards him and noted that the driver had pulled to the side to let him pass. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check his power setting, as the taxiway was on an upslope. He thought he had adequate clearance from the trailer; however, the left wing struck the top of the trailer as he passed, pulling the airplane to the left. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing. 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-Ground vehicle-Response/compensation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_ERA11CA387.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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