# Accident 20240902014109A: Piper PA-28-181, Yuma, AZ, September 2, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 2, 2024, 13:00 local time
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Location: 32.6566° N, 114.6060° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6566&lon=-114.6060&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3044U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3044U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 8 total, 853 in this make and model, 191 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA306) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240902014109A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2024 THE INSTRUCTOR WAS CONDUCTING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO KNYL, IN A PIPER PA-28, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.   WHILE ON THE GROUND IN PREPERATION TO FUEL THE AIRCRAFT, THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL TO PARK BY THE SELF-SERVE FUEL PUMP.  AFTER FUELING THE INSTRUCTOR MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM THE FUEL PIT TO PARK THE PLANE BUT THEN MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE FROM A (KNOWN) FENCE.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE FENCE DAMAGING THE WING TIP, LANDING LIGHT AND STRESSING THE WING ROOT RIVITS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR24LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA306), Sep 2, 2024: Piper PA-28-181 (N3044U), Yuma, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a fence during taxi operations.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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