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SEA08CA052

2007-12-26 · Fullerton, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport FUL

Current FAA registration · N13974

Make / Model
CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture
2006 · 1 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20061220
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0A00A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

Factual narrative

The student pilot had landed the airplane, exited the runway and was taxiing to parking. The tower controller informed the pilot that a helicopter was above him and to his right. The pilot looked to the right and saw the helicopter. While watching the helicopter, the pilot added right brake and throttle to move the airplane towards the center line of the taxiway. As the airplane turned, the pilot felt a jolt and saw that the airplane's left wing had contacted a utility trailer, substantially damaging the wing spar. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had looked to all sides before turning and not allowed himself to be distracted by the presence of the helicopter. The student pilot had landed the airplane, exited the runway and was taxiing to parking. The tower controller informed the pilot that a helicopter was above him and to his right. The pilot looked to the right and saw the helicopter. While watching the helicopter, the pilot added right brake and throttle to move the airplane towards the center line of the taxiway. As the airplane turned, the pilot felt a jolt and saw that the airplane's left wing had contacted a utility trailer, substantially damaging the wing spar. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had looked to all sides before turning and not allowed himself to be distracted by the presence of the helicopter. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_SEA08CA052.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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