Piper PA-28-181 N4181M

Summary

On 5 April 2002 at about 16:40 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N4181M was involved in an accident near Goodyear, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 April 2002 at 16:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Goodyear, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)

Coordinates

33.4269, -112.3822

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N4181M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Goodyear → Goodyear

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA126

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While taxiing to the active runway, the student pilot taxied into a parked refueling truck in the ramp area between shade hangars "G" and "F." The student thought there was enough room for him to maneuver around the refueling truck. The right wing struck the fuel tank and swung the airplane around where it came to a stop after the propeller struck the rear bumper of the truck. There were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or braking system. According to the flight school's policy/procedures, if there is an obstruction to taxiing, a fuel truck or vehicle, the solo student must bring the airplane to a full stop and wait until the fuel truck or vehicle has moved.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.