# NTSB CHI00LA228: Piper PA-34-200T, N345CD, Harbor Springs, MI, July 28, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2000, 21:45 local (Jul 28, 2000, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Harbor Springs, MI - Coordinates: 45.430477, -84.979278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4305&lon=-84.9793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA228 ## Probable cause the pilot selected the wrong runway direction in which to land and he did not perform a go-around when he realized the landing approach was too high. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition, the improper glidepath, and the intentional ground loop/swerve, and the fence at the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command - object - fence (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to landing, he called the UNICOM for wind information. He was informed that the winds were calm, so he elected to land on runway 28. He reported that the landing approach was high and he touched down 1/3 to 1/2 way down the 4,157-foot long, wet runway. He reported he applied full brakes, but the airplane did not slow down. The pilot reported that it was too late to perform a go-around so he decided to keep the airplane on the ground. The pilot made an intentional sharp left turn to avoid a fence at the end of the runway and the right main gear collapsed when it contacted the grass off the side of the runway. The airplane came to rest almost 180 degrees to the direction of landing. The pilot reported the local winds were from 080 degrees at 7 knots. He reported, 'A flight over the wind sock would have prevented this mishap.' ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2000, at 2145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N345CD, operated by a certificated flight instructor (CFI) was substantially damaged during an intentional ground loop/swerve while landing on runway 28 (4,157' x 75', wet asphalt) at the Harbor Springs Municipal Airport, Harbor Springs, Michigan. The CFI, dual private pilot, and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The flight was operating under an IFR flight plan, which was canceled prior to landing. The flight originated from Detroit, Michigan, at 2100 eastern daylight time. The CFI reported that once they had the airport in sight he cancelled his IFR flight plan. He reported he called the UNICOM for wind information. He was informed that the winds were calm, so he elected to land on runway 28. The pilot reported that his landing approach was high and he touched down 1/3 to 1/2 way down the runway. He reported he applied full brakes, but the airplane did not slow down. The pilot reported that it was too late to perform a go-around so he decided to keep the airplane on the ground. He reported that he made an intentional sharp left turn to avoid a fence at the end of the runway and the right main gear collapsed when it contacted the grass off the side of the runway. The airplane came to rest almost 180 degrees to the direction of landing. Inspection of the airplane revealed the right wing spar, the right engine and propeller, and the right wing flap and aileron sustained damage as a result of the gear collapse. The pilot reported the local winds were from 080 degrees at 7 knots. He reported, "A flight over the wind sock would have prevented this mishap." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N345CD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N345CD), registered now, S/N 34-7770148 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7770148 - Airframe hours: 3136 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bear River Aviation - Registered owner: Denice T. Summers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, August 1, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI - Destination: D87 - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: D87, Harbor Springs, runway 28, 4,157 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 13,000 total, 65 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PLN, 11 nm away ## 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 20000727037229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000727037229A), Jul 27, 2000: Piper PA34200T, Harbor Springs, MI, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he landed long and fast on rwy 28 and that when he decided that the a/c was going too fast to stop on runway. There was not sufficient… 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.