NTSB Factual Report

On November 3, 2011, at 1349 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N1855Y, was substantially damaged when it struck a stationary Cessna 182T, N2182F, while taxiing at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot of the Cessna 172, and the certificated private pilot, flight instructor, and passenger of the Cessna 182, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Neither the Cessna 172 pilots nor the Cessna 182 pilots filed flight plans for the instructional flights, which were conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who inspected both airplanes after the accident, the Cessna 182 pilot started the engine, moved the airplane forward about five feet when testing the brakes, and then stopped. The Cessna 172 pilot was taxiing to a tie-down spot and taxied in front on the Cessna 182. According to the flight instructor of the Cessna 172, he verified that the student taxiing the airplane stayed on the centerline of the taxiway and maintained right wingtip clearance. As the Cessna 172 taxied past the stationary Cessna 182, the outboard section of left wing impacted the propeller of the Cessna 182 causing substantial damage to the wing. All occupants of the airplanes exited without incident.

The operator of both airplanes reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

According to the operator, the flight instructor of the Cessna 172 held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multiengine land, an instrument rating, as well as a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane. He noted that his total flight experience was approximately 295 hours; of which, about 261 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on September 22, 2011.

According to the operator, the student pilot of the Cessna 172 held a student pilot certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued July 28, 2011. He noted that the student had 35 total hours of flight experience, all in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

According to the operator, the flight instructor of the Cessna 182 held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multiengine land, an instrument rating, as well as a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane. He noted that his total flight experience was approximately 619 hours; of which, about 7 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on September 22, 2011.

According to the operator, the pilot of the Cessna 182 held a foreign private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued May 4, 2010. The operator noted that the pilot had 190 total hours of flight experience, of which 24 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

FAA records indicated that the Cessna 172 was manufactured in 2005, and its registration certificate was issued in 2011. It was equipped with a 180-horsepower, Lycoming IO-360 series engine. The airplane was a four-place, single-engine, high-wing, cantilever monoplane that was equipped with fixed tricycle-type landing gear. According to the operator, the airplane had accumulated approximately 2,231 total hours and the most recent 100-hour inspection was on October 14, 2011.

FAA records indicated that the Cessna 182 was manufactured in 2004, and its registration certificate was issued in 2004. It was equipped with a 230 horsepower, Lycoming IO-540 series engine. The airplane was a four-place, high-wing, single-engine, cantilever monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. According to the operator, the airplane had accumulated approximately 2,700 total hours and the most recent 100-hour inspection was on June 24, 2011.

Weather conditions reported at FXE, at 1453, included winds from 090 degrees at 12 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, temperature 26 degrees C, dewpoint 17 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The Cessna 172 flight instructor and student pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the stationary Cessna 182.