Primary finding
Probable cause
the failure of the pilot to assure that clearance was maintained while taxiing in proximity of buildings at an excessive taxi speed.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was taxiing in at completion of his fourth solo flight. He said he was taxiing too fast as he approached the ramp area. When he realized that wing tip clearance was questionable he applied wheel brakes but the right wingtip impacted a hangar and pivoted the aircraft to the right. When he applied engine power in an effort to straighten out the aircraft the nose pivoted to the right even faster and the propeller cut through the hangar door. There were no mechanical problems.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 12, 1995, at 1100 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N8987V, impacted a hangar while taxiing to the ramp after landing at Eagle Airpark, Mohave Valley, Arizona. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the student pilot was uninjured. The flight originated at Eagle Airpark as a local area solo flight at 1000 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was taxiing in at completion of his fourth solo flight. He stated that he was taxiing too fast as he approached the ramp area. When he realized that wing tip clearance was questionable, he applied wheel brakes but the right wingtip impacted a hangar and pivoted the aircraft to the right. The pilot applied engine power in an effort to straighten out the aircraft, however, this resulted in the nose pivoting to the right even faster. The propeller of the aircraft cut through the hanger door on impact. The aircraft came to rest with the nose inside the hangar back to the wing leading edge. He reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft. -