# NTSB SEA95LA176: Piper PA-28-151, N23AF, Panguitch, UT, August 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1995, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Panguitch, UT - Coordinates: 37.860965, -112.340881 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8610&lon=-112.3409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42215/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA176 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of the distance from the sign post. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts - object - sign - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on a dirt road next to an airport that had been closed. The airport manager reportedly allowed the pilot to land on the road. The road was parallel to the runway, and the pilot had landed on it during previous occasions. As he taxied to parking, the road began to curve right. The pilot stated that he 'felt a little push of the tail to the left' due to a wind gust. During this time, the left wing of the airplane struck a sign post and separated. The pilot stated that he was looking at the post prior to impacting it, but he did not think that the airplane was in a position to hit it. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1995, about 1130 mountain daylight time, N23AF, a Piper PA-28-151, operated by Aero West Aviation, Inc., collided with an object while taxiing in Panguitch, Utah, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The business flight departed from St. George, Utah, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on a dirt road next to the Panguitch Airport. The airport was closed at the time, but the airport manager reportedly allowed the pilot to land on the road. The road is parallel to the runway, and the pilot reported that he had landed on it during previous occasions. After an uneventful landing and rollout, the pilot taxied to parking. As he taxied, the road began to curve to the right. The pilot stated that he "felt a little push of the tail to the left" due to a wind gust. During this time, the left wing of the airplane struck a sign post and separated. The pilot stated that he was looking at the post prior to impacting it, but he did not think that the airplane was in a position to hit it. No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23AF), registered now, S/N 28-7415702, built 1974 (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 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aero West Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 932 total, 17 in this make and model, 892 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CDC, 30 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 19950808023689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950808023689A), Aug 8, 1995: Piper PA28151, Panguitch, UT, Substantial damage. Airport closed. Landed on road parallel to runway. Severed a wing on a pole taxiing to park. 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.