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Back Taxi Collision with Vegetation and Tree During Landing Separation Maneuver

Vergennes, VT, United States

On October 14, 2018, a Cessna 172 M operated by Vermont Flight Academy was involved in an aviation accident near Vergennes, VT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that while back taxiing on a turf runway to create separation for a landing airplane, his left wing struck tall vegetation and a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported an accident that occurred during a back taxi on a turf runway measuring 3,000 feet long by 90 feet wide. After landing, the pilot initiated a back taxi along the runway. While traveling near the left edge, he moved the airplane as far left as possible to increase separation for another airplane that was in the process of landing. The pilot stated that his attention was focused on the landing airplane when the left wing of his airplane collided with tall vegetation and a tree.

Damage

The collision caused substantial damage to the left wing spar of the airplane.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Effect on operationPilot

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)

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Oct 2018 Cessna 172 M accident near Vergennes, VT?

A pilot reported that while back taxiing on a turf runway to create separation for a landing airplane, his left wing struck tall vegetation and a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Oct 2018 Cessna 172 M accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Oct 2018 involved a Cessna 172 M, operated by Vermont Flight Academy, at Vergennes, VT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing.

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