# NTSB CHI00LA041: Piper PA-28-180, N41910, Mankato, MN, December 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 1999, 18:00 local (Dec 13, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Mankato, MN - Coordinates: 44.159957, -93.989265 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1600&lon=-93.9893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA041 ## Probable cause the pilots failure to maintain a proper glidepath. Factors were the dark night and the pilots lack of recent night flying experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent ## Analysis The airplane collided with trees while landing at night. An on scene examination of the aircraft found no anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition. In his written statement, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction. The pilot stated that he '... was experiencing the classic optical illusion of thinking I was closer to the approach end of the runway, than I actually was.' The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by receiving additional night dual instruction and a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) on runway 22. According to the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), runway 22 has a VASI system that is activated using the aircraft radio tuned to the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). According to a statement from the airport manager, three flight instructors that operated aircraft during the late afternoon and early evening on the day of the accident were contacted. All three flight instructors indicated that the VASI lights were operational at the time of their flights. On the day following the accident, the airport maintenance manager conducted a daily inspection and determined that the VASI system was operational and in working order. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 1999, at 1800 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N41910, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees while landing on runway 22 (3,999 feet by 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Mankato Municipal Airport (MKT), Mankato, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his one passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed from the L J Bose Airstrip, Orleans, Nebraska, at 1455, and was en route to MKT. The Federal Aviation Administration conducted an on scene examination of the aircraft and found no anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition. In his written statement, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he "...remained at 150 feet above ground level until I felt we needed to expedite our descent to make the runway. Position calls were made at downwind entry, and upon turning final. My only explanation is that I was experiencing the classic optical illusion of thinking I was closer to the approach end of the runway, than I actually was. As the landing light had been turned on during the downwind leg, we saw the tree top just before we hit it." The pilot stated, in his written statement, that the accident could have been prevented by receiving additional night dual instruction and a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) on runway 22. According to the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), runway 22 has a VASI system that is activated using the aircraft radio tuned to the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). According to a statement from the airport manager, three flight instructors that operated aircraft during the late afternoon and early evening on the day of the accident were contacted. All three flight instructors indicated that the VASI lights were operational at the time of their flights. On the day following the accident, the airport maintenance manager conducted a daily inspection and determined that the VASI system was operational and in working order. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41910](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41910-2002-06-26), registration cancelled 2002-06-26, S/N 28-7405150, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7405150 - Airframe hours: 1910 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bose Garage, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1999, 21 hours before - Departed: 67NE, ORLEANS, NE - Destination: MKT - Airport: runway 22, 3,999 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 62 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991212037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991212037219A), Dec 12, 1999: Piper PA28180, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 12, 1999, at 1925 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N41910, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage after colliding… 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.