Accident Overview
On August 26, 2013, at approximately 0720 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, registration N5232D, collided with a parked airplane at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (TMB) in Miami, Florida. The student pilot reported losing consciousness while taxiing and regained consciousness only after the collision. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was registered to Three Seas Aviation LLC and operated by ADF Airways under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a training flight.
Pilot and Medical History
The student pilot stated that before the accident he was fully rested and performed a preflight inspection. He taxied to the ramp hold position and contacted air traffic ground control for taxi instructions, which was the last thing he remembered. The pilot reported no history of seizures, fainting, or loss of consciousness prior to this event. A review of his most recent medical evaluation on May 8, 2013, for a third-class medical certificate indicated he was in good health. The pilot was 18 years old at the time of the accident. After the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Aerospace Medicine denied his application until further review. The student pilot was observed to have a grand mal seizure while taxiing and was noted to be postictal (altered state of consciousness after a seizure characterized by drowsiness and confusion) when evaluated by emergency medical services. Subsequent emergency room evaluation included a normal head computed tomography and normal electrolytes.
Aircraft Damage
Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the accident airplane collided with the left engine of a parked airplane. The Cessna 172N’s engine mount and firewall were buckled.
Post-Accident Actions
Following the accident, the FAA denied the pilot's medical application pending further review. The pilot's medical file indicated no waivers or limitations prior to the incident.