# NTSB CHI05LA158: Piper PA-28-180, N8321W, Allegan, MI, June 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2005, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Allegan, MI - Coordinates: 42.531112, -85.825279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5311&lon=-85.8253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA158 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The inadequate aircraft control by the PA-28-180 pilot while the airplane was stopped. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The inadequate aircraft control by the Piper PA-28-180 pilot while the airplane was stopped. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating - aircraft control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - not installed - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - aircraft control - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Piper PA-28-180 impacted a Martin Sonex on the ground near the taxiway. Both airplanes were awaiting takeoff clearances when the Piper rolled forward and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Sonex. The pilot of the Piper stated that he was holding in position when he became distracted from holding the brakes while leaning across his right seat passenger to secure the entry door. The airplane then rolled and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Martin Sonex with his propeller. He stated that they taxied with the door open because of the extreme heat and lack cabin air circulation. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Piper PA-28-180 impacted a Martin Sonex on the ground near the taxiway. Both airplanes were awaiting takeoff clearances when the Piper rolled forward and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Sonex. The pilot of the Piper stated that he was holding in position when he became distracted from holding the brakes while leaning across his right seat passenger to secure the entry door. The airplane then rolled and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Martin Sonex with his propeller. He stated that they taxied with the door open because of the extreme heat and lack cabin air circulation. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On June 25, 2005, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8321W, impacted a Martin Sonex, N569SX, during an on-ground collision at Padgham Field Airport, Allegan, Michigan. Both airplanes were awaiting takeoff clearance when the Piper PA-28-180 rolled forward while stopped on a taxiway and impacted the Martin Sonex. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal/educational flight was a Experimental Aviation Association's Young Eagles program flight. Neither airplane was operating on a flight plan. The airline transport pilot and three passengers aboard the Piper PA-28-180 were uninjured. The pilot aboard the Martin Sonex was uninjured. The pilot of the Piper PA-28-180 stated that he was holding in position when he became distracted from holding the brakes while leaning across his right seat passenger to secure the entry door. The airplane then rolled and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Martin Sonex with his propeller. He stated that they taxied with the door open because of the extreme heat and lack cabin air circulation. The 1965 Piper PA-28-180, serial number 28-2496, was registered to the pilot as co-owner on February 27, 2004. The airplane was not certificated nor equipped with shoulder harnesses. Advisory Circular 91-65, Use of Shoulder Harness in Passenger Seats, states: "...The safety board [National Transportation Safety Board] found that 20 percent of the fatally injured occupants in these accidents could have survived with shoulder harnesses (assuming the seat belt fastened) and 88 percent of the seriously injured could have had significantly less severe injuries with the use of shoulder harnesses. Energy absorbing seats could have benefited 34 percent of the seriously injuries. The safety board concluded that shoulder harness use is the most effective way of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in general aviation accidents." ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On June 25, 2005, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8321W, impacted a Martin Sonex, N569SX, during an on-ground collision at Padgham Field Airport, Allegan, Michigan. Both airplanes were awaiting takeoff clearance when the Piper PA-28-180 rolled forward while stopped on a taxiway and impacted the Martin Sonex. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal/educational flight was a Experimental Aviation Association's Young Eagles program flight. Neither airplane was operating on a flight plan. The airline transport pilot and three passengers aboard the Piper PA-28-180 were uninjured. The pilot aboard the Martin Sonex was uninjured. The pilot of the Piper PA-28-180 stated that he was holding in position when he became distracted from holding the brakes while leaning across his right seat passenger to secure the entry door. The airplane then rolled and struck the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Martin Sonex with his propeller. He stated that they taxied with the door open because of the extreme heat and lack cabin air circulation. The 1965 Piper PA-28-180, serial number 28-2496, was registered to the pilot as co-owner on February 27, 2004. The airplane was not certificated nor equipped with shoulder harnesses. Advisory Circular 91-65, Use of Shoulder Harness in Passenger Seats, states: "...The safety board [National Transportation Safety Board] found that 20 percent of the fatally injured occupants in these accidents could have survived with shoulder harnesses (assuming the seat belt fastened) and 88 percent of the seriously injured could have had significantly less severe injuries with the use of shoulder harnesses. Energy absorbing seats could have benefited 34 percent of the seriously injuries. The safety board concluded that shoulder harness use is the most effective way of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in general aviation accidents." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N8321W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8321W), registered now, S/N 28-2496, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2496 - Airframe hours: 3548 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard Martin - Registered owner: John D. Amundson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 3 hours before - Departed: 35D, Allegan, MI - Destination: 35D - Airport: 35D, Padgham Field ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N569SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N569SX-2024-08-27), registration cancelled 2024-08-27, S/N 0569, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Martin Sonex - Registry model: [Martin Richard B SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-richard-b-sonex) (registry code 05619AM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Departed: 35D, Allegan, MI - Destination: 35D, Allegan, MI - Airport: 35D, Padgham Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N8321W; age 70; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 12,780 total, 262 in this make and model, 10,790 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N569SX; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: BIV, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050625013621A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050625013621A), Jun 25, 2005: Piper PA28180, Allegan, MI. (-23) When holding in #2 position for takeoff, the pilot inadvertently released the brakes while trying to close the cabin door. The aircraft taxied forward… - [Accident 20050625013622A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050625013622A), Jun 25, 2005: Amtr SONEX, Allegan, MI, Minor damage. (-23) While holding in #1 position for takeoff, the aircraft in #2 position taxied into the tail. The propeller sliced through the outbd sections of the left… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.