Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate distance between the airplane and hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After landing the pilot was taxiing the airplane back to the fixed based operator hangar. As the airplane approached the hangar, he noticed the hangar door open and attempted to align the airplane in front of the open door, but “misjudged the distance” from the wingtip to the hangar and impacted the hangar with the right wing. Subsequently, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.