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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 25, 2003 · Piper PA-28-181 · N38137

Bullhead City, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Bullhead City, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N38137
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA144

While taxing to parking, the airplane collided with a parked fuel truck with the outboard 18 inches of the left wing. The pilot was taxing on the centerline, at a normal speed, and was not aware that the fuel truck was obstructing the taxi way. He said he "misjudged the distance" between the airplane and the fuel truck.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of distance resulting in the inadequate clearance between the wing tip and the fuel truck.

Full Narrative

On April 25, 2003, at 1059 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N38137, collided with a fuel truck while taxing to parking at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport, Bullhead City, Arizona. National Air College, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual metrological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated at French Valley Airport, Murrieta, California, at 0930. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the fuel truck was parked with the operator inside the vehicle and no fueling was in progress. He stated that he was taxing at a normal taxi speed with the nose wheel on the centerline, and was not aware that the fuel truck was obstructing the taxi way. He said he "misjudged the distance" between the airplane and fuel truck, and the airplane struck the fuel truck with the outboard 18 inches of the left wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:59 MST
Nearest AirportLaughlin/Bullhead Intl (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN38137
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data