On October 17, 2002, a Cessna 172 (registration N46459) was involved in an aviation accident near Neenah, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing, exacerbated by the late afternoon sun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A light aircraft sustained substantial damage when its right wing struck a metal guardrail at a fuel depot during taxi operations in the late afternoon.
What happened
The airplane sustained substantial damage when the right wing impacted a metal fuel tank guardrail during taxi for takeoff. The pilot reported that while he was taxiing from his hangar, the airplane's right wing hit a post next to the fuel depot. He reported that the late afternoon sun was a factor.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the impact with the guardrail. No further mechanical examination details were provided in the source material.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's difficulty navigating near the fuel depot and the glare from the late afternoon sun.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing, exacerbated by the late afternoon sun.
What happened in the 17 Oct 2002 Cessna 172 accident near Neenah, WI?
A light aircraft sustained substantial damage when its right wing struck a metal guardrail at a fuel depot during taxi operations in the late afternoon.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 17 Oct 2002 involved a Cessna 172, registration N46459, at Neenah, WI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing, exacerbated by the late afternoon sun.
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