NTSB Factual Report

On July 26, 2001, about 0825 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R, N47839, registered to and operated by B.G. Chipmunks, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence during taxi operations, at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Sanford, Florida, the same day, about 0730.

The pilot stated that he had just landed the aircraft, and was taxiing to park and pick up an examiner for a checkride. He said as he was taxiing he noted another aircraft in the second, western most parking space, and he was maintaining proper clearance with this aircraft. He said he noted the fence, a fire hydrant and an electrical box, all bordering the ramp, and began to turn the aircraft so as to end the taxi turn west of the other aircraft, facing north, which would have required a 270-degree turn. He said he began the turn facing west, and at about the 45-degree point into the turn, a visual illusion "caused the fence to blend into its background and the other fence behind it." He said he "lost his depth perception reference of distance from it, and had become distracted by the lack of any taxi markings, the fire hydrant, the power box, and the other aircraft, and he had failed to make a specific check of the wingtip, until he felt a bump, as if the aircraft had ran over a small rock, or stick." He said he immediately stopped the aircraft, scanned everywhere to see what had happened, and noted the wing tip pressed up against the fence, at about a 20-degree angle. According to the pilot, a rib in the right wing was damaged as a result, and there had been no mechanical malfunction to the aircraft, or to any of its system, prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper visual lookout, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with a fence.