Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot-in-command's excessive taxi speed and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While the pilot tried to avoid an aircraft tie-down, the airplane's left wingtip impacted a hangar. The safety pilot reported that the pilot-in-command's taxi speed was excessive, and she told him to slow down and tapped the brakes.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 23, 1996 at 1132 eastern standard time a Cessna 172, N53588, collided with a hangar while taxing to parking at Orlando/Sanford Airport, Sanford, Florida. The flight had departed from the Orlando/Sanford Airport at 1030 eastern standard time on this same date, and no flight plan was filed. Neither of the two pilots were injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, by the pilot in the right seat. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and the ramp was dry. The pilot taxing the airplane reported that he misjudged the parking space by approximately four inches, and collided with a hangar. The safety pilot reported that the pilot in command (PIC) was taxing a bit fast and was not watching the left wing. She told the PIC to slow down, and she tapped the brakes as the PIC swung out to avoid a tie down. The left wingtip then struck the hangar. -