This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Tomahawk Injuries: None. Location: Grangeville, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot landed the airplane and exited the runway at a taxiway. As he attempted to taxi to a fueling facility he inadvertently turned onto a road designated for automobiles. He was distracted by an automobile, and the left wing hit a sign post. The airplane went off the road and into a ditch.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during taxi.
For more information: NTSB.Gov