Primary finding
Probable cause
the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a fence post while taxiing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While taxiing to a parking ramp following landing, the left wing of the airplane came into contact with a fence post, 1 foot inboard of the wing tip.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 24, 1995, at 1210 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N6911P, collided with a fence post with its left wing while taxiing at Bermuda Dunes Airport, Palm Springs, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, Burbank, California, at 1110 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot's verbal statement, the left wing collided with the fence post 1 foot inboard of the wing tip while he was taxiing to a parking ramp following landing. The accident was discovered by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on June 28, while the airplane was being repaired. -