LAX06CA139

After landing, the pilot taxied to his hangar that he shares with an aviation maintenance technician with inspector's authorization. As he taxied around a corner, he saw his car out of the hangar and another airplane in the hangar. He knew where this other airplane was normally tied down so he turned his airplane 180 degrees and transitioned to the tie-down area, which was located near an airport fence. The pilot was watching for chocks and tie-down straps on the ground while maintaining clearance between the right wing tip and the fence when the left wing impacted a light pole.

On March 1, 2006, about 1700 mountain standard time, a Beech G35, N348G, collided with a light pole while taxiing to parking at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona. The pilot, also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country, personal flight. The pilot departed from Chinle Municipal Airport, Chinle, Arizona, about 1600.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that after landing, he taxied to his hangar that he shares with an aviation maintenance technician with inspector's authorization. As he taxied around a corner, he saw his car out of the hangar and another airplane in the hangar. He knew where this other airplane was normally tied down so he turned his airplane 180 degrees and transitioned to the tie-down area, located near an airport fence. The pilot was watching for chocks and tie-down straps on the ground while maintaining clearance between the right wing tip and the fence when the left wing impacted a light pole. During the collision, the left outboard leading edge skin and a rib were damaged. The pilot recommended being more attentive and familiarizing himself with the tie down areas before taxiing into congested areas to prevent future accidents.