19970802047079A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Piper PA-38-112 · Manassas, VA · August 2, 1997

Date: August 2, 1997 · 11:50 local
Place: Manassas, VA
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N23831
NTSB investigation: NTSBNYC97LA164
Reported as: Piper PA38112

N23831Registered now · Piper PA-38-112S/N 38-79A1057 Airframe modelPiper PA-38-112

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-16) Pilot failed to maintain clearance from fuel truck. Pilot stated she thought the right wing tip would clear fuel truck. However, right wing tip struck right headlight area of fuel truck. Aircraft momentum turned aircraft into side of truck resulting n 3 to 4 prop strikes in fuel truck and filter before engine stoppage. Pilot completed emergency shut down and evacuated aircraft. There were no passengers onboard. However, 3 people conducting fueling operations ran clear of area. One person (fueler) fell and slightly injured right hand and arm.

As the FAA filed it

(-16) PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM FUEL TRUCK. PILOT STATED SHE THOUGHT THE RIGHT WING TIP WOULD CLEAR FUEL TRUCK. HOWEVER, RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK RIGHT HEADLIGHT AREA OF FUEL TRUCK. AIRCRAFT MOMENTUM TURNED AIRCRAFT INTO SIDE OF TRUCK RESULTING N 3 TO 4 PROP STRIKES IN FUEL TRUCK AND FILTER BEFORE ENGINE STOPPAGE. PILOT COMPLETED EMERGENCY SHUT DOWN AND EVACUATED AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS ONBOARD. HOWEVER, 3 PEOPLE CONDUCTING FUELING OPERATIONS RAN CLEAR OF AREA. ONE PERSON (FUELER) FELL AND SLIGHTLY INJURED RIGHT HAND AND ARM.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB NYC97LA164Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportManassas, VAThe pilot's misjudgment of clearance between the aircraft and fuel truck, which resulted in a collision.Aug 2, 1997 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N23831 · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

Incident 19901101055649IFcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise · Yanceyville, NCEngine lost power in flight. Forced landing in a field.Nov 1, 1990 Incident 19830905065369IFinal Approach · Enterprise, ALLanded 50 feet short of runway. Collapsed the nose gear. Stopped on edge of runway.Sep 5, 1983 · Minor damage