GAA18CA528

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, with the pilot receiving instruction on the controls, they were instructed by ground personnel to "do a 180º turn and park." During the right turn, after clearing a vehicle, the left wing struck a tree. Prior to impact, the flight instructor saw the tree and tried to apply brakes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that, with the pilot receiving instruction on the controls and while taxiing to parking, ground personnel instructed them to turn 180º and then park. The instructor added that, during the right turn, after clearing a vehicle, he saw a tree and tried to apply brakes, but the airplane impacted the tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The operator's director of maintenance reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Instructor/check pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C