Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a vehicle while taxiing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that while taxiing to the runup area he stopped when he noticed a construction vehicle was in close proximity to the taxiway. After he assessed the situation and felt that he had enough room to taxi around the vehicle on the left, he continued to taxi. However, while maneuvering around the vehicle he misjudged the clearance, and the right wing was substantially damaged when it collided with the vehicle. The student reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA042 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 9, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Falcon Field (FFZ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Diamond DA40
- N-number
- N4117H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- 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.