Cessna 172S accident near Chandler, Arizona, May 11, 2024
On May 11, 2024 at about 2:35 pm local time, a 2001 Cessna 172S, registered N428DW, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Chandler, Arizona (Chandler Muni airport). It was a personal 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 failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during taxi operations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2024 · about 2:35 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Chandler Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 2001 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N428DW · registry record · serial 172S8708
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane to take off, but experienced a radio issue and subsequently decided to taxi back to an area near a group of hangars to troubleshoot the radio. While taxiing, the pilot attempted a right turn towards an opening between two hangars. The airplane’s wings struck each hangar on both sides of the airplane and sustained substantial damage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during taxi (from runway)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 218.6 hours in all; 218.6 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 25.9 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 24, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,546 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 23, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04L/, 4,401 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from KCHD
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCHD 132347Z 02008KT 10SM FEW080 38/M04 A2973
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1: Airplane’s left wing as viewed from the front.
Photograph 2 – Airplane’s right wing as viewed from the front.
Photograph 3 – Airplane’s top of wings as viewed from the rear.
Photograph 4 – Airplane’s right wing as viewed from the top rear side.
Photograph 5 – Airplane’s left wing as viewed from the top rear side.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.