NTSB WPR11CA085 — 2011-01-04 · Wickenburg, Arizona, United States

Current FAA registration · N443PA

Make / Model: PIPER PA-28-181
Year of manufacture: 2001 · 10 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20011119
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A55708

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N443PA Piper PA-28-181 None

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's right wing and the pole.

Factual narrative

The student pilot submitted a written statement. He had landed at his destination and was taxiing to parking. While parking the airplane, he noticed a pole by the parking area. He thought that there was adequate clearance between the right wing and the pole. However, the leading edge of the right wing contacted the pole and resulted in damage to the spar. While parking the airplane, the student pilot noticed a pole by the parking area. He thought that there was adequate clearance between the right wing and the pole. However, the leading edge of the right wing contacted the pole and resulted in substantial damage to the spar. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Student pilot - C
C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Pole-Response/compensation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_WPR11CA085.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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