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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 26, 2001 · Piper PA-28R · N47839

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R
Tail Number
N47839
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA195

The pilot stated that he was taxiing to park and a visual illusion caused the fence to blend into its background and other fence behind it. He said he was distracted, and did not make a specific check of the wingtip to ensure proper clearance, and the right wing of the aircraft collided with a fence, causing damage to a rib in the wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper visual lookout, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with a fence.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 2001, about 0825 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R, N47839, registered to and operated by B.G. Chipmunks, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence during taxi operations, at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Sanford, Florida, the same day, about 0730. The pilot stated that he had just landed the aircraft, and was taxiing to park and pick up an examiner for a checkride. He said as he was taxiing he noted another aircraft in the second, western most parking space, and he was maintaining proper clearance with this aircraft. He said he noted the fence, a fire hydrant and an electrical box, all bordering the ramp, and began to turn the aircraft so as to end the taxi turn west of the other aircraft, facing north, which would have required a 270-degree turn. He said he began the turn facing west, and at about the 45-degree point into the turn, a visual illusion "caused the fence to blend into its background and the other fence behind it." He said he "lost his depth perception reference of distance from it, and had become distracted by the lack of any taxi markings, the fire hydrant, the power box, and the other aircraft, and he had failed to make a specific check of the wingtip, until he felt a bump, as if the aircraft had ran over a small rock, or stick." He said he immediately stopped the aircraft, scanned everywhere to see what had happened, and noted the wing tip pressed up against the fence, at about a 20-degree angle. According to the pilot, a rib in the right wing was damaged as a result, and there had been no mechanical malfunction to the aircraft, or to any of its system, prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:25 EDT
Nearest AirportOrlando International Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R
Tail NumberN47839
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data