NTSB Factual Report

On September 2, 2001, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65057, was substantially damaged when it collided with a sign during taxi at the Augusta State Airport (AUG), Augusta, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, an airport employee described the airplane's movement on the airport and its collision with the sign. He said:

"I saw him cross 26 towards the parking area. I needed to fuel the plane so I pointed towards the pumps. He saw me point and then turned towards the pump area. As I walked to the pumps, I turned to see where he was. As I turned to look, he hit the right wing on the Exxon sign in front of the FBO."

During a telephone interview, the pilot said he had returned from a local pleasure flight, and taxied the airplane to the operator's ramp. He said that the flight was only his second from the Augusta State Airport. The pilot said he taxied towards the fuel pumps to service the airplane, and an airport employee signaled to get his attention. According to the pilot:

"It was only my second time flying into the airport. As I taxied to the pumps, the employee raised his hands to get my attention. As I approached the pumps, I clipped the right leading edge -the right wing - about 6 inches in from the tip. The dent was about 10 inches to a foot long, and pushed back about an inch and a half towards the trailing edge.

"I take full responsibility, because I was focused on the guy and his proximity to the propeller."

The pilot reported 95 hours of flight experience, all of which were in the Cessna 172.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

The weather at AUG about the time of the accident was clear skies with the winds from 340 degrees at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper distance from a sign post during taxi.