Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remain clear of a light pole while taxiing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to a lineperson at the airport, the airplane was taxiing toward four fuel trucks to park. The lineperson then exited one of the trucks with wands, got the pilot's attention, and walked north away from the trucks to direct the pilot to a safer parking area. He then signaled for the pilot to taxi toward him, but the airplane continued north-northwest toward the trucks, and the engine revved to a high rpm. The lineperson then motioned for the airplane to slow and move away from the trucks; however, the airplane continued to taxi toward the trucks. The lineperson signaled stop and yelled "stop" several times. The airplane did not stop, and its left wing struck a light pole near one of the trucks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Although the pilot stated 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 airport director of operations reported that the pilot could not recall any of the wand signals that he was provided.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 30, 2019, about 2100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N4335R, was substantially damaged during taxi after landing at Page Field (FMY), Fort Myers, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, about 1930. The pilot stated 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. 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 and it appeared that airplane was going to park in front of the three Jet A trucks. The lineperson then exited the truck with wands, was able to get the pilot's attention, and walked north away from the trucks to direct the pilot to a safer parking area. He then 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 then 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. 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 of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the left wing spar.