Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a pole while taxiing the airplane on the ramp.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, after landing, he taxied the airplane to the ramp to get fuel. While in front of the fuel tank, he repositioned the airplane with a 360° turn. During a second attempt to reposition the airplane, the right wing struck a nearby pole.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA360 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Salem, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Salem-Leckrone (SLO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N98395
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1985
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.