Piper PA-28-181 accident near Goodyear, Arizona, April 5, 2002
On April 5, 2002 at about 4:40 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N4181M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goodyear, Arizona (Phoenix Goodyear Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 5, 2002 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Goodyear, Arizona · Phoenix Goodyear Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N4181M · registry record · serial 28-43120
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While taxiing to the active runway, the student pilot taxied into a parked refueling truck in the ramp area between shade hangars "G" and "F." The student thought there was enough room for him to maneuver around the refueling truck. The right wing struck the fuel tank and swung the airplane around where it came to a stop after the propeller struck the rear bumper of the truck. There were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or braking system. According to the flight school's policy/procedures, if there is an obstruction to taxiing, a fuel truck or vehicle, the solo student must bring the airplane to a full stop and wait until the fuel truck or vehicle has moved.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,323 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, February 5, 2002; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GYR Goodyear AZ at 4:40 pm
- Destination: GYR Goodyear AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from GYR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.