On June 14, 2018, a CESSNA 172 P operated by SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DBA was involved in an aviation accident near Salem, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a pole while taxiing the airplane on the ramp. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A solo student pilot struck a pole with the right wing during a second attempt to reposition the aircraft for fueling, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.
Narrative
The incident occurred after a solo student pilot landed and taxied the airplane to the ramp to obtain fuel. Upon arriving in front of the fuel tank, the pilot repositioned the airplane by executing a 360° turn. During a subsequent attempt to reposition the airplane a second time, the right wing struck a nearby pole.
Damage
The collision caused substantial damage to the right wing of the airplane.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not indicate any other contributing factors or conditions.
Contributing factors
Student/instructed pilotEffect on operation
Related events
Same aircraft family
24 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172B
23 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
18 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
16 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172M (CK Aviation LLC)
9 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
8 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N
7 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Tin Cup Investments INC)
24 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172M
21 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172P (Vascular Wings LLC)
18 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Ocala Aviation Services INC)
16 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Foothill Aircraft Sales and Service Inc.)
9 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Kimber 123 Holdings LLC)
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 14 Jun 2018 CESSNA 172 P accident near Salem, IL?
A solo student pilot struck a pole with the right wing during a second attempt to reposition the aircraft for fueling, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.
Were there any fatalities in the 14 Jun 2018 CESSNA 172 P accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Jun 2018 involved a CESSNA 172 P, operated by SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DBA, at Salem, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a pole while taxiing the airplane on the ramp.
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