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GAA16CA447

2016-08-23 · Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport IPT

Current FAA registration · N9480E

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
19790825
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AD2D3D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's distraction during taxi operations, which resulted in the airplane's left wing impacting a hangar.

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that after he had landed he taxied to get fuel. He was waved around behind two parked airplanes. After he passed the first airplane, the left wing of the airplane impacted a hanger. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had remained focused "on the task of taxiing the airplane, rather than looking at the person/parking spot". The solo student pilot reported that after he had landed he taxied to get fuel. He was waved around behind two parked airplanes. After he passed the first airplane, the left wing of the airplane impacted a hanger. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had remained focused "on the task of taxiing the airplane, rather than looking at the person/parking spot". Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Airport structure-Awareness of condition - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA447.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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