Taxiing Aircraft Strikes Fence Near Run-Up Area

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while taxiing to the run-up area, the aircraft's right wing collided with a chain link fence. The collision caused the right wing tip tank to catch fire. The airplane then turned to the right and came to a stop with the nose into the fence. The right wing sustained crush damage and fire damage.

Airport Infrastructure

Approximately one year before the incident, the airport’s water well had become inoperative. A new well was subsequently installed, and the chain link fence surrounding it was placed closer to the taxiway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the distance from the fence line (on the right side) to the taxiway centerline was 19 feet. The distance from the tree line (on the left side) to the taxiway centerline was 25 feet. The aircraft's total wingspan was 33 feet.