# NTSB ATL03LA022: Piper PA-28-161, N289HG, Eastman, GA, December 3, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 2002, 14:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Eastman, GA
- Coordinates: 32.36972, -81.96389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3697&lon=-81.9639&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA022

## Probable cause

The pilots failure to maintain a visual lookout resulting in the subsequent on ground collision with a hangar.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - object - hangar/airport building

## Analysis

The pilot was taxiing on the ramp for parking. He failed to maintain a visual lookout while applying left rudder to stop a turn and inadvertently stepped on his headset cord. His head jerked downward and he became distracted while attempting to untangle his head from the headset cord. The airplane continued forward and collided with a hangar.

## Factual narrative

On December 3, 2002, at 1407 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N289HG, registered and operated by Georgia Aviation and Technical College, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced an on-ground collision with a hangar while taxiing for parking. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Augusta, Georgia, at 1300.

The pilot stated he was taxiing on the ramp after landing without a ground guide. He taxied between a parked airplane and the hangar. He applied left rudder to stop his turn and inadvertently stepped on his headset cord. His head was jerked downward and he became distracted while attempting to untangle his head from the headset cord. The airplane continued forward and collided with the hangar.

Examination of the airplane on December 5, 2002, revealed the left wing forward spar, ribs, and stringers were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N289HG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N289HG), registered now, S/N 2842146, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D3G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d3g) (registry code 42156, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2842146
- Airframe hours: 356
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Georgia Aviation and Technical College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2002, 39 hours before
- Departed: AGS, Augusta, GA
- Destination: EZM, Eastman, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EZM, Heart of Georgia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 13, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 83 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: VDI, 38 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20021203032829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021203032829A), Dec 3, 2002: Piper PA28161, Eastman, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On taxiing to the parking area, the pilot became distracted inside the cockpit and struck a hangar with left wing.

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.

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