Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN84LA257

CHEYENNE, WY, USA

Aircraft #1

N43DR

PIPER PA-38

Analysis

FOLLOWING AN UNEVENTFUL SOLO FLIGHT THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN TO FOLLOW A PARKING VEHICLE TO A PARKING SPOT. THE SPOT THAT THE PARKING VEHICLE DRIVER SELECTED NECESSITATED THAT THE ACFT EXECUTE A 180 DEG TURN JUST PRIOP TO STOPPING. DURING THIS TURN THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK A CONSTRUCTION FENCE POST ADJACENT TO THE PARKING SPOT EVEN THOUGH THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS EXACTLY CENTERED ON THE YELLOW TAXIWAY STRIPE. DURING THE ACCIDENT THE LINEMAN MADE NO INDICATION THAT THE WINGTIP WAS GETTING CLOSE TO THE FENCE. ACCORDING TO MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IF THE NOSEWHEEL TRACKED EXACTLY ON THE YELLOW CENTERLINE THE RIGHT WINGTIP WOULD HAVE CLEARED THE FENCE POST BY 6 INCHES. ANOTHER LINEMAN NOT INVOLVED IN THIS MISHAP STATED THAT 'HE WAS WONDERING WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE FROM THE FENCE TO THE TAXIWAY STRIP FOR AN AIRCRAFT TO GET BY.' HE MADE THIS STATEMENT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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