Probable cause
The owner of the parking surface's failure to ensure that the parking surface was clear of hazards to taxiing airplanes and the pilot's failure to ensure a safe taxi route in unfamiliar surroundings.
NTSB analysis
While taxiing the airplane to park, the pilot selected an open spot located on the side of the parking apron. The pilot noticed a drainage ditch covered with a metal grate but did not perceive that only a portion of the ditch was covered by the grate. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane to park, the nose wheel entered the uncovered ditch and the propeller contacted the ground. The pilot shut down the airplane and exited normally. Damage was sustained to the airplane's firewall. The pilot was not injured. No markings were present to make the pilot aware of the hazard.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DFW08CA070 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 3, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jenks, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Richard Lloyd Jones Jr (RVS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N766PD
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.