Cessna 172P and Cessna 182J accident near Friday Harbor, Washington, September 12, 2000
On September 12, 2000 at about 10:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172P (N53201) and Cessna 182J (N3347F), were involved in the same accident near Friday Harbor, Washington (Friday Harbor airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The Cessna 172 pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the Cessna 182. Factors included aircraft parked/standing on the taxiway and the refueling area, and a congested/confined taxiway.
The Cessna 172 pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the Cessna 182. Factors included aircraft parked/standing on the taxiway and the refueling area, and a congested/confined taxiway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2000 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Friday Harbor, Washington · Friday Harbor · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N53201 · registry record · serial 17274701
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 182J · all 182Js on the register
- Registration
- N3347F · registry record · serial 182-57347
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172P final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna 172 (N53201) was taxiing south toward the active runway (16). The Cessna 172 pilot reported that as he approached the airport's fuel island, he noted an aircraft fueling on the outside (taxiway side) of the fueling island. He also stated that he noted a Cessna 182 (N3347F) taxiing toward him, coming north. The Cessna 172 pilot reported that the Cessna 182 'continued to taxi for a moment and then stopped, engine idling, somewhat off the left side of the taxiway, but not off the hard surface and abeam and directly across from the fueling aircraft', which, according to the Cessna 172 pilot, 'considerably narrowed the available taxiway.' The Cessna 172 pilot reported that he then attempted to taxi between the Cessna 182 and the aircraft at the fueling island. As the Cessna 172 pilot attempted to taxi between the two aircraft, the Cessna 172's left wing struck the Cessna 182's left wing.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 182J final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna 172 (N53201) was taxiing south toward the active runway (16). The Cessna 172 pilot reported that as he approached the airport's fuel island, he noted an aircraft fueling on the outside (taxiway side) of the fueling island. He also stated that he noted a Cessna 182 (N3347F) taxiing toward him, coming north. The Cessna 172 pilot reported that the Cessna 182 'continued to taxi for a moment and then stopped, engine idling, somewhat off the left side of the taxiway, but not off the hard surface and abeam and directly across from the fueling aircraft', which, according to the Cessna 172 pilot, 'considerably narrowed the available taxiway.' The Cessna 172 pilot reported that he then attempted to taxi between the Cessna 182 and the aircraft at the fueling island. As the Cessna 172 pilot attempted to taxi between the two aircraft, the Cessna 172's left wing struck the Cessna 182's left wing.
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 for the Cessna 172P from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 175 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 102 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FHR
- Destination: BFI Seattle WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from FHR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 182J from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 554 hours in all; 33 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,545 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 2000; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Unknown
- Destination: FHR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.