Cessna 172N N5366J accident near Olympia, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported leaving his covered parking spot and beginning a slow taxi towards the main taxiway. During his taxi, the pilot observed a stationary airplane in front and to his left with the propeller spinning. The pilot attempted to make eye contact with the person in the other airplane but was unsuccessful. Based on the stationary airplane's position, the pilot assumed that he could clear the spinning propeller by staying to the right of the yellow line. As the pilot was passing the other airplane he heard a loud noise as the left wing of the airplane collided with the propeller and sustained substantial damage. The propeller of the stationary airplane sustained minor damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The stationary airplane was undergoing a post maintenance equipment test with no intent for flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA294 for the full record.