NTSB Factual Report

On March 16, 2006, approximately 1045 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182D, N9971T, sustained substantial damage after impacting a snow blowing unit while taxiing for takeoff at the Sandpoint Airport, Sandpoint, Idaho. The airplane was registered to a private individual. The certificated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the proposed 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight.

In a written report submitted to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that while taxiing for takeoff, and in order to avoid snow berms at various places on the taxiways, the airplane's left wing tip impacted a snow blower attachment, resulting in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he been more cognizant of the "not normal pieces of equipment" in the vicinity, a snow berm down the center of the taxiway, and the unusual situations in the operational environment.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object (snow blowing equipment) while taxiing. The snow blowing equipment, and the pilot's failure to adequately maneuver the aircraft around snow berms were factors.