PANGUITCH, UT, USA
N23AF
PIPER PA-28-151
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.
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.
the pilot's misjudgment of the distance from the sign post.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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