LAX06CA157

Factual narrative

On April 30, 2006, about 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N534SP, collided with a pole during taxi at Big Bear, California. Edwards Aero Club was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Edwards Air Force Base, California, about 1015, with a planned destination of Big Bear. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. The pilot was taxiing to runway 26 at Big Bear around 1730. He noticed a small twin engine airplane land. The twin engine airplane taxiied back to the runway behind the Cessna 172. The pilot noticed that the twin engine airplane seemed to be in a hurry, because it was gaining on the 172 during taxi. The pilot said he pulled off the taxiway to do his run-up and let the pilot of the twin engine airplane pass. He watched his right wing tip as he was turning in order to clear a light pole. When he felt that he would clear the pole, he diverted his attention to his left wing. That is when he felt his right wing tip hit the pole. He shutdown the engine and secured the airplane. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The airplane's right wing tip hit a light pole during taxi. While taxiing toward the run up area, the pilot noticed that a twin engine airplane behind him was in a hurry, because the twin was gaining on him. The pilot moved to the side of the taxiway in order to let the twin engine airplane pass while he did his run-up. He watched his right wing tip as he was turning in order to clear a light pole. He diverted his attention his left wing. That is when his right wing tip hit the pole. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12