On 11 Oct 2015, a PIPER PA 46-350P operated by SCEPTER INC was involved in an aviation accident near Kanab, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to monitor the airplane's movement on the ground while programming the GPS, which resulted in a collision with a pole. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot, distracted while reprogramming a GPS after engine start, inadvertently allowed the airplane to roll forward into a steel pole, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and wing.
Accident Overview
A pilot reported that after starting the airplane's engine, he noticed an error in the route programmed into the global positioning system (GPS). While making changes to the GPS programming, the airplane began to roll forward without the pilot's awareness. The airplane subsequently collided with a steel pole.
Pilot's Actions
The pilot stated that he was focused on correcting the GPS route error and did not realize the airplane was moving. The airplane had initiated forward motion during his distraction, leading to the impact with the steel pole.
Damage and Inspection
The collision resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing of the airplane. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.