Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot reported that, while taxiing after landing, he was instructed by the ground controller to follow a truck to transient parking. A fly-in car show event was taking place at the time, and several areas on the ramp were occupied by the show. With a wing walker on the right wing, he followed the truck and moved left of the taxiway centerline to avoid getting too close to the airplanes to the right that overhung into the taxiway. After the airplane was clear of the airplanes to the right, the pilot advanced the throttle and the left wing impacted a light pole, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17LA207 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 16, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sedona, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Sedona (SEZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 208B
- N-number
- N786WW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
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.