NTSB Factual Report

On July 18, 2003, about 0935 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N864CP, registered to and operated by Phoenix East Aviation, Inc., struck a Cessna 172S, N431ER, registered to and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, while taxiing for takeoff at the Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flights. Both of the airplanes were substantially damaged. The student pilot aboard N864CP reported no injuries. The commercial-rated pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI), and student pilot aboard N431ER, reported no injuries. The flights were originating at the time of the accident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident scene, both aircraft were at the run-up area for departure on runway 25R. N864CP was the third airplane holding behind N431ER. The pilot of N864CP recieved clearance for takeoff before N431ER, and was instructed by the tower to manuever around the airplane in front, for takeoff. As the pilot of N864CP turned his airplane, the left wing struck the tail of N431ER, turning N864CP further left until his propeller struck the trailing edge of N431ER's right wing.

The pilot of N864CP stated that upon reaching the end of the taxiway he positioned himself behind two other airplanes to perform his runup. When he was cleared for takeoff he attempted to maneuver around N431ER, the airplane in front of him. He said he had "very little radius to turn behind him." During the turn, his wing tip struck the rudder of N431ER which "swerved" his airplane to the left and into the right wing of N431ER. At this point, he "chopped the power."

The pilot of N431ER stated that the airplane behind them, N864CP, was attempting to taxi around them for takeoff when his left wing struck their rudder, "causing him to swerve towards us hitting our right wing with his prop." At this point, they shut down the engine, secured the airplane and moved to a safe distance. The flight instructor riding in the right seat of N431ER then returned to N864CP to assist the pilot in securing his airplane.

The flight instructor on board N431ER acting as a check pilot stated that a few seconds after hearing air traffic control clear N864CP for takeoff, he felt an "impact in the tail and a bump in the rudder pedals." He looked out of the right window and saw N864CP's propeller striking the trailing edge of his airplane's right wing. He shut down the engine, secured the airplane and proceeded to assist the pilot of N864CP in securing his airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted in a ground collision.