# NTSB CEN09CA422: Piper PA-28-140, N88FN, Hibbing, MN, July 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2009, 09:08 local (14:08 UTC) - Place: Hibbing, MN - Coordinates: 47.386665, -92.83889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3867&lon=-92.8389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Wrong surface or wrong airport](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA422 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74236/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74236 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA422 ## Probable cause The pilot mistakenly using a closed taxiway for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane striking a construction barricade. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design: taxiway markings/signage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Wrong surface or wrong airport](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a construction barricade while taking off from a closed taxiway. The taxiway was being prepared to be used as a temporary runway during future scheduled maintenance on the airport's main runway. At the time of the accident, the taxiway was closed while it was being painted with the temporary runway markings. However, the main runway was still in use for normal operations. There was an applicable Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) specifying that the taxiway was closed. The pilot stated that he mistakenly identified the taxiway as the active runway when he saw the temporary runway markings. The right main wing spar was substantially damaged when the main landing gear collapsed after striking the construction barricade. ## Factual narrative The airplane impacted a construction barricade while taking off from a closed taxiway. The taxiway was being prepared to be used as a temporary runway during future scheduled maintenance on the airport's main runway. At the time of the accident, the taxiway was closed while it was being painted with the temporary runway markings. However, the main runway was still in use for normal operations. There was an applicable Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) specifying that the taxiway was closed. The pilot stated that he mistakenly identified the taxiway as the active runway when he saw the temporary runway markings. The right main wing spar was substantially damaged when the main landing gear collapsed after striking the construction barricade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88FN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88FN), registered now, S/N 28-26119, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26119 - Airframe hours: 4943 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roy Riser - Registered owner: Roy Riser - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2009 - Departed: KHIB, Hibbing, MN - Destination: 2A1, Jamestown, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KHIB, Chisholm-Hibbing Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 40,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 35,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KHIB ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74236. 358 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.