Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, after landing on a 3,000 by 90 ft turf runway, he back taxied on the runway. While back taxiing along the left edge of the runway, he moved his airplane as far to the left as possible to create maximum separation from an airplane that was landing. He recalled that he was focused on the other airplane's landing when his airplane's left wing collided with tall vegetation and a tree.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA024 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Vergennes, Vermont
- Nearest airport
- Basin Harbor (B06)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N73345
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- 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.