Cessna 172M N73134 accident near Churchville, Maryland

Probable cause

The tractor operator's failure to confirm the landing airplane's position before entering an active runway, which resulted in a ground collision.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he was preparing to land at the airport and that he made radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to announce the airplane's position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the traffic pattern. While on the landing roll, as the airplane traveled over a crest in the runway, the pilot observed a tractor crossing the runway from left to right. The pilot steered the airplane to the right to avoid a collision, and the airplane's left wing contacted the tractor, which resulted in substantial damage. The operator of the tractor stated that he heard the airplane's CTAF transmissions but proceeded to cross the runway because he assumed that the airplane was already clear of the runway. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA416 for the full record.