Piper PA-28-180 and Martin Sonex accident near Allegan, Michigan, June 25, 2005
On June 25, 2005 at about 2:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA-28-180 (N8321W) and Martin Sonex (N569SX), were involved in the same accident near Allegan, Michigan (Padgham Field). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate aircraft control by the Piper PA-28-180 pilot while the airplane was stopped.
The inadequate aircraft control by the PA-28-180 pilot while the airplane was stopped.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2005 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Allegan, Michigan · Padgham Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N8321W · registry record · serial 28-2496
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Martin Sonex, amateur-built
- Registration
- N569SX · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-28-180 final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Martin Sonex final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper PA-28-180 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 12,780 hours in all; 262 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 10,790 as pilot in command; 1,085 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,548 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2005; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 35D Allegan MI at 2:00 pm
- Destination: 35D
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from BIV, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
The factual record for the Martin Sonex from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 35D Allegan MI
- Destination: 35D Allegan MI
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.