Accident Overview
On November 3, 2011, at 1349 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N1855Y, sustained substantial damage when its left wing impacted the propeller of a stationary Cessna 182T, N2182F, while taxiing at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Both aircraft were conducting instructional flights under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plans were filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. All occupants—the flight instructor and student pilot of the Cessna 172, and the private pilot, flight instructor, and passenger of the Cessna 182—were not injured.
Sequence of Events
According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined both aircraft after the accident, the Cessna 182 pilot had started the engine, moved the airplane forward about five feet while testing the brakes, and then stopped. Meanwhile, the Cessna 172 pilot was taxiing to a tie-down spot and moved in front of the Cessna 182. The flight instructor of the Cessna 172 reported that he verified the student pilot kept the airplane on the taxiway centerline and maintained right wingtip clearance. As the Cessna 172 taxied past the stationary Cessna 182, the outboard portion of its left wing struck the Cessna 182's propeller, causing substantial damage to the wing. All occupants evacuated the airplanes without incident.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172S, manufactured in 2005, was a four-place, single-engine, high-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. It was powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360 series engine. According to the operator, the airplane had accumulated approximately 2,231 total hours, and its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on October 14, 2011. The Cessna 182T, manufactured in 2004, was also a four-place, high-wing, single-engine aircraft with fixed tricycle gear, equipped with a 230-horsepower Lycoming IO-540 series engine. It had flown about 2,700 total hours, with its last 100-hour inspection on June 24, 2011. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with either airplane.
Personnel
The flight instructor of the Cessna 172 held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings, an instrument rating, and a flight instructor certificate for single-engine and instrument airplane. He had about 295 total flight hours, of which approximately 261 were in the accident make and model. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on September 22, 2011. The student pilot held a student pilot certificate and a third-class medical certificate issued July 28, 2011, with 35 total flight hours, all in the accident make and model.
The flight instructor of the Cessna 182 held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings, an instrument rating, and a flight instructor certificate for single-engine and instrument airplane. He had about 619 total hours, with only about 7 in the accident make and model. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on September 22, 2011. The pilot of the Cessna 182 held a foreign private pilot certificate for single-engine land, with 190 total flight hours (24 in make and model) and a second-class medical certificate issued May 4, 2010.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at FXE at 1453 included winds from 090 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, temperature 26°C, dewpoint 17°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury.