Accident Details
On 1 December 2019 at 1551 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BODB, sustained a dent to the left wing leading edge during taxi at Sherburn in Elmet Airfield, Leeds. The aircraft, manufactured in 1982, was on a private flight with one pilot and one passenger. No injuries were reported.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was parked near the airfield fuel pump installation. The pilot completed a pre-flight inspection and boarded the passenger. After starting the engine, the pilot taxied forward and then made a right turn. During this turn, the outboard section of the left wing leading edge struck a fuel pump. The pilot immediately shut down the engine and inspected the damage.
Aftermath
Considering the dent minimal, the pilot judged it safe to continue flying. Despite the late afternoon hour and the need to complete the flight before night, he pushed the aircraft back, restarted the engine, and departed. The subsequent delay caused him to land approximately 15 to 20 minutes into nighttime. Upon return, the pilot reported both the contact with the fuel pump and the night flight to the flying club. The club informed the pilot of the correct action, which would have been to have the damage inspected and to curtail the flight to avoid flying at night.