NTSB Factual Report

On November 24, 2001, at 1220 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733XW, registered to and operated by Boeing Employees Flying Association as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a fence during taxi for takeoff at Harvey Field, Snohomish, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was departing to Renton, Washington.

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was at the controls and maneuvering the aircraft to position it as close as possible to the end of the runway in preparation for a short field takeoff. The instructor stated that while he was scanning the area for traffic, the student made a right hand turn toward the runway and misjudged the distance from the fence that borders the runway. During the turn, the left wing struck the fence. Both pilots exited the aircraft to inspect the damage and noted a dent in the leading edge, near the wing tip. The aircraft was taxied back to a maintenance facility where a mechanic looked at the damage. The mechanic told the pilots that the aircraft was okay to fly. The flight instructor and the student then flew the aircraft back to Renton. It was later determined by the flying associations mechanic that the damage to the wing was substantial.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot misjudged the distance from a fence during taxi. The flight instructors inadequate supervision and the fence were factors.