NTSB Factual Report

On February 21, 2002, at 1600 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N274ND, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when the right wing impacted a parked truck while taxiing at the Grand Forks International Airport, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The student pilot was taxiing to the parking area after her first solo flight. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and was not on a flight plan. The student pilot was not injured. The local flight originated about 1500.

In a written statement, the pilot said that she was returning from a solo flight and was taxiing to the parking area. She said that while taxiing, she noticed a van pull up in front of the airplane. She said that she , "... remembered what [she] had been taught about staying on the yellow line. If [she] stayed on the yellow line, [she] would clear obstacles." She said that was watching for people that may be coming out of parked airplanes and she, "... wasn't giving that attention to [her] wingtip." The right wing of the airplane subsequently struck the parked van causing substantial damage to the airplane. In her written statement, the pilot listed no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot not maintaining clearance from a parked van while taxiing to the parking area. The van was a factor.