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Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Fence During Landing and Nose Overs (N9254J)

Yuma, AZ, US

On July 2, 2005, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N9254J) was involved in an aviation accident near Yuma, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a airport boundary fence short of the runway. 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

During landing, an airplane struck a perimeter fence and nosed over after a rapid descent on final. The pilot's first flight with three passengers; weight and balance exceeded forward CG limit at takeoff.

Accident Sequence

The airplane was on final approach with flaps fully extended and the throttle set at 1,700 rpm when it began a rapid descent. The pilot retracted the flaps 10 degrees and applied full power. The descent continued until the airplane struck the airport perimeter fence short of the runway and nosed over.

Pilot Experience

The pilot reported that this was his first flight with three passengers on board.

Weight and Balance Calculations

Weight and balance calculations showed that at takeoff, the airplane exceeded its forward center of gravity limit by 1 inch, with a gross weight of 2,347.42 pounds. During landing, the center of gravity was near the forward limit but 0.3 inches within the envelope, and the gross weight was 2,257.42 pounds. The maximum gross weight for the airplane was 2,400 pounds.

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Jul 2005 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Yuma, AZ?

During landing, an airplane struck a perimeter fence and nosed over after a rapid descent on final. The pilot's first flight with three passengers; weight and balance exceeded forward CG limit at takeoff.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Jul 2005 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N9254J, at Yuma, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a airport boundary fence short of the runway. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity flying the airplane at a high gross weight with a center of gravity near the forward limit, which would have…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050706X00937. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.