# NTSB LAX05CA066: Piper PA-28-151, N151MM, Tucson, AZ, January 8, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 7, 2005, 17:30 local (Jan 8, 2005, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.060108, -111.420707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0601&lon=-111.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA066

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

The airplane struck a taxiway location sign during landing rollout.  On the student's fourth and final solo practice landing, the airplane touched down on runway 24L.  The pilot maneuvered the airplane off the runway centerline and prepared to exit the runway at taxiway B2.  Approaching the taxiway, the pilot applied strong brake pressure, attempting to dissipate forward speed, and began a turn onto the taxiway.  The turn shifted the airplane's weight distribution, and the pilot, worried that the airplane would tip over, compensated by stopping the turn.  The airplane overran the taxiway and struck the taxiway location sign.

## Factual narrative

On January 7, 2005, about 1730 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N151MM, struck a taxiway location sign during landing rollout at Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, Arizona.  International Aviation Training Academy was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The local instructional flight originated about 1700.

In a written report, the operator stated that the student performed three solo takeoffs and landings.  On the student's fourth and final solo practice landing, the airplane touched down on runway 24L.  The pilot maneuvered the airplane off the runway centerline and prepared to exit the runway at taxiway B2.  Approaching the taxiway, the pilot applied strong brake pressure, attempting to dissipate forward speed, and began a turn onto the taxiway.  The turn shifted the airplane's weight distribution, and the pilot, worried that the airplane would tip over, compensated by stopping the turn.  The airplane overran the taxiway and struck the taxiway location sign, incurring damage to the right wing and aileron.  The operator added that it was the student's first solo flight.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N151MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151MM), registered now, S/N 28-7715129, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7715129
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: International Airline Training Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ
- Destination: RYN
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport, runway 24L, 5,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20050107000419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050107000419A), Jan 7, 2005: Piper PA28151, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was on his first supervised solo; after landing the student pilot attempted to turn onto the taxiway. The speed of the aircraft was too…

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.