No fatalities

Student Pilot Taxis Into Parked Refueling Truck (N4181M)

Goodyear, AZ, US

On April 5, 2002, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N4181M) was involved in an aviation accident near Goodyear, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot, taxiing to the active runway, struck a parked refueling truck. The right wing hit the fuel tank, and the propeller hit the bumper. No mechanical issues were found. The school's policy requires full stops for obstructions.

Incident Overview

A student pilot, while taxiing to the active runway, collided with a parked refueling truck in the ramp area between shade hangars "G" and "F." The student believed there was sufficient clearance to maneuver around the truck, but the right wing struck the fuel tank, causing the airplane to swing around. The aircraft came to a stop after the propeller struck the rear bumper of the truck.

Aircraft and Mechanical Condition

Examination of the aircraft and its braking system revealed no mechanical anomalies. The incident was solely attributed to the pilot's misjudgment of clearance.

Flight School Procedures

According to the flight school's policy and procedures, solo students encountering an obstruction such as a fuel truck or vehicle during taxi must bring the airplane to a complete stop and wait until the obstruction has moved. The student pilot did not follow this procedure.

Conclusion

The accident occurred due to the student pilot's decision to proceed without stopping, contrary to established safety protocols. No other factors were identified.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Apr 2002 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Goodyear, AZ?

A student pilot, taxiing to the active runway, struck a parked refueling truck. The right wing hit the fuel tank, and the propeller hit the bumper. No mechanical issues were found. The school's policy requires full stops for obstructions.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Apr 2002 Piper PA-28-181 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Apr 2002 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N4181M, at Goodyear, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020409X00481. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.