NTSB GAA16CA371 — 2016-07-08 · San Diego, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N9488G

Make / Model: CESSNA 172N
Year of manufacture: 1979 · 37 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19791207
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AD2E57

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N9488G Cessna 172 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, which resulted in an impact with a stationary fuel truck.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff in a non-movement area, the right wing of the airplane impacted a stationary fuel truck. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff in a non-movement area, the right wing of the airplane impacted a stationary fuel truck. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Situational awareness-Pilot - C
C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Ground vehicle-Awareness of condition - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA371.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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