# Accident 20231001016239A: Piper PA-28-140, Moab, UT, October 1, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 1, 2023, 20:22 local time
- Place: Moab, UT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.7517° N, 109.7700° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7517&lon=-109.7700&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7153R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7153R-2025-04-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-140 (registry code 7102802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 273 in this make and model, 109 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA002) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231001016239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT TAXIED FROM PARKING TO DEPARTED FROM RUNWAY 21 AT 2022 LOCAL TIME. THE PILOT DID NOT USE PILOT CONTROLLED LIGHTING FOR THE RUNWAY. AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 21 THE PILOT TURNED ON A RIGHT CROSSWIND AND DOWNWIND FOR DEPARTURE TO THE NORTHEAST. WHILE ON DOWNWIND APPROXIMATELY ABEAM THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 21 THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CROWN OF A HILL THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 100' ABOVE THE RUNWAY ELEVATION. THE AIRCRAFT NOSE GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AT THIS LOCATION AND THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 350' WHERE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE FIRST,  SPUN 180 DEGREES SLIDING TO REST ORIENTED DOWNHILL AND 180 DEGREES FROM THE FLIGHT DIRECTION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR24FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA002), Oct 2, 2023: Piper PA-28-140 (N7153R), Moab, UT, substantial damage, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

## Other reports on N7153R (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19810523028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810523028909A), May 23, 1981: Piper PA28140 (N7153R), Lawrenceville, VA, Substantial damage. Landed 30 feet short of runway. Severed landing gear on uneven ground.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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