Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's right wing and the pole.
NTSB analysis
While parking the airplane, the student pilot noticed a pole by the parking area. He thought that there was adequate clearance between the right wing and the pole. However, the leading edge of the right wing contacted the pole and resulted in substantial damage to the spar.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA085 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 4, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wickenburg, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Wickenburg Municipal Airport (E25)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N443PA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.