Accident Overview
On March 30, 2019, at approximately 2100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, registration N4335R, sustained substantial damage during taxi after landing at Page Field (FMY) in Fort Myers, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which had departed Miami Executive Airport (TMB) in Miami, Florida, at about 1930.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that while parking on the ramp parking area, a lineperson provided directions to taxi, which led the airplane's left wing to collide with a light pole. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Lineperson Account
The lineperson stated that he was in a parked Avgas truck, next to three Jet A trucks, preparing to drive to a hangar and complete a fueling when he heard the accident airplane taxiing toward him. It appeared that the airplane was going to park in front of the three Jet A trucks. The lineperson then exited the truck with wands, got the pilot's attention, and walked north away from the trucks to direct the pilot to a safer parking area. He signaled for the pilot to taxi toward him, but the airplane moved north-northwest, still toward the trucks, and the engine revved to a high rpm. The lineperson motioned for the airplane to slow and move away from the trucks; however, the airplane continued to taxi toward the trucks. The lineperson then signaled stop and yelled "stop" several times. The airplane did not stop, and its left wing struck a light pole near the Avgas truck.
Airport Director's Report
The airport director of operations reported that he interviewed the pilot after the accident, and the pilot could not recall any of the wand signals that he was provided.
Examination
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the left wing spar.