Cessna 172N accident near Miami, Florida, August 26, 2013
On August 26, 2013 at about 11:20 am local time, a 1979 Cessna 172N, registered N5232D, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Miami, Florida (Kendall-Tamiami Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s incapacitation due to a seizure during taxi.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2013 · about 11:20 am local time
- Place
- Miami, Florida · Kendall-Tamiami Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N, built 1979 · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5232D · registry record · serial 680143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that the last thing he remembered regarding the accident sequence was taxiing the airplane to the ramp hold position and then contacting air traffic ground control. He stated that he then lost consciousness. He regained consciousness after his airplane collided with another airplane parked on the ramp. He reported that he had never lost consciousness before this event. A witness reported observing the pilot having a seizure while he was taxiing the airplane, and emergency responders reported that the pilot was confused and drowsy for a period of time following the event, consistent with the pilot having experienced a seizure. The pilot did not have any waivers or limitations on his medical certificate.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during taxi (to runway) defining event
- Ground collision during taxi (to runway)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Other loss of consciousness › Student pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 40 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,912 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 10, 2013; 144 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 964 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TMB Miami FL at 11:20 am
- Destination: TMB Miami FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from TMB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.