Casualties unknown

Ground Collision Involving Two Cessna 172 Aircraft at Run-up Area (N864CP)

Daytona Beach, FL, US

On July 18, 2003, a Cessna 172R (registration N864CP) operated by Phoenix East Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Daytona Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted in a ground collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

Two Cessna 172 aircraft, N431ER and N864CP, collided on the ground at a run-up area while maneuvering for takeoff on runway 25R.

Incident

On an unspecified date, two Cessna 172 aircraft were positioned in the run-up area for departure on runway 25R. The aircraft involved were N431ER, a Cessna 172S, and N864CP, a Cessna 172R. The Cessna 172R was positioned behind the Cessna 172S. The student pilot in N864CP requested clearance for takeoff and was instructed by the tower to maneuver around for takeoff. As the student pilot attempted to maneuver his airplane, the left wing of N864CP struck the tail of N431ER. The impact rotated N864CP further left until its propeller struck the trailing edge of N431ER's right wing.

Aftermath

Following the collision, the pilot and flight instructor in N431ER shut down their engine and secured the airplane. The flight instructor then proceeded to assist the student pilot in securing N864CP.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030723X01178. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.