What happened
The incident occurred at an airport ramp area where a Piper PA-28 was stationary with its engine running. Simultaneously, a Cessna 152, registered as N89803, was being maneuvered into a parking position within the same vicinity following a landing.
As the Cessna pilot adjusted the aircraft's position, the right wing of the Cessna moved into the rotational arc of the Piper's propeller. The contact resulted in substantial damage to the Cessna's wing structure and minor damage to the Piper PA-28.
The investigation
Following the collision, investigators examined the Cessna 152's ground handling systems. A check of the nose gear steering mechanism and brake system revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure that would have contributed to the incident.