Event FTW04CA245

Factual narrative

On September 28, 2004, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H single-engine airplane, N189W, sustained substantial damage following an on ground collision with a parked airplane while taxing after landing at the West Houston Airport (IWS), near Houston, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Windsock Aviation Inc., of College Station, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Easterwood Field Airport (CLL), near College Station, Texas, at approximately 1200, with the intended destination of Weiser Air Park (EYQ), near Houston, Texas. The 52-hour student pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on his first solo cross-country flight from EYQ to CLL, he became overwhelmed with anxiety and wasn't sure where he was. After locating an airport nearby, he decided to land. While taxiing to the parking area after landing at IWS, he heard a "loud bang on the left side of the airplane" as the airplane suddenly moved to the left. After powering down the airplane, the student pilot exited the airplane and realized the left wing struck a parked Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the outboard leading edge of the left wing, aileron, and flap were structurally damaged. Examination of airplane that was parked revealed it sustained minor damage to the engine. At 1253, the automated surface observing system at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), near Houston, Texas, located 19 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind variable at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 13,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The 52-hour student pilot reported that while taxiing to the parking area after landing, he heard a "loud bang on the left side of the airplane" as the airplane moved to the left. After powering down the airplane, the student pilot exited the airplane and realized the left wing struck a parked aircraft. The student pilot added that he was on his first solo cross-country flight and became overwhelmed with anxiety. The student pilot eventually became lost and decided to land at the first available airport. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12