# NTSB CHI01FA100: Piper PA-28-180, N55893, Erhard, MN, March 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 2001, 20:03 local (Mar 10, 2001, 02:03 UTC) - Place: Erhard, MN - Coordinates: 46.480236, -96.08905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4802&lon=-96.0891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, THE NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC., TEXTRON LYCOMING - NTSB case key (mKey): 51883 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01FA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51883/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=51883 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01FA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's encounter with known adverse weather conditions, the low ceiling, the pilot disregarding the weather observation information obtained prior to the flight, and the pilot's lack of instrument experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - flight into known adverse weather - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather observation - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The owner of the airplane said that he and the pilot had flown to Detroit Lakes (DTL), Minnesota, in the airplane so that the owner could pick up another airplane and ferry it back to Fergus Falls (FFM), Minnesota. The owner said the flight to DTL was uneventful. At DTL, they checked the weather for the return flight. The automatic weather observing/reporting system (AWOS) at FFM was reporting a ceiling of 800 feet overcast and 7 miles visibility. The owner took off in a Piper Seneca before the pilot took off. The owner said that he heard the pilot over his airplane radio departing DTL. En route to FFM, the pilot contacted the owner and inquired if the owner got up okay. The owner responded that everything was working. The pilot then said, "You must be close to Fergus [Falls]". The owner said that he was 11 miles from FFM at that time. The owner said he landed right at 2000. While taxiing to the ramp, the owner said he tried to call the pilot on the airplane's radio. There was no response. The owner parked his airplane and went into the fixed base operator (FBO) to contact the pilot on the FBO radio. Again, there was no response. A witness on a farm located near the accident site said that he first heard the airplane. "We couldn't see it. It was in the clouds or fog." The witness said the ground visibility was good. "The airplane appeared out of the fog approximately up 150 ft. spiraling sharp to the right, and going down fast. It only took a few seconds for it to hit the ground." The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating. At 2017, the AWOS at FFM, 15 miles south of the accident site, reported sky conditions 600 overcast, 7 miles visibility, temperature 21 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 14 degrees F, winds 150 degrees at 12 knots, and altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 9, 2001, at 2003 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N55893, operated by a private pilot was destroyed when it impacted into a cornfield 1-1/2 miles northwest of Erhard, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The ferry flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at Detroit Lakes (DTL), Minnesota, at 1940, and was en route to Fergus Falls (FFM), Minnesota. The owner of the airplane said that he and the pilot had flown to DTL in the airplane so that the owner could pick up another airplane and ferry it back to FFM. The owner said the flight to DTL was uneventful. At DTL, they checked the weather for the return flight. The automatic weather observing/reporting system (AWOS) at FFM was reporting a ceiling of 800 feet overcast and 7 miles visibility. The owner took off in a Piper Seneca before the pilot took off. The owner said that he heard the pilot departing DTL on his airplane radio. En route to FFM, the pilot contacted the owner and inquired if the owner got off okay. The owner responded that everything was working. The pilot then said, "You must be close to Fergus [Falls]". The owner said that he was 11 miles from FFM at that time. The owner said he landed right at 2000. While taxiing to the ramp, the owner said he tried to call the pilot on the airplane's radio. There was no response. The owner parked his airplane and went into the fixed base operator (FBO) to contact the pilot on the FBO radio. Again, there was no response. A witness on a farm located near the accident site said that he first heard the airplane. "We couldn't see it. It was in the clouds or fog." The witness said the ground visibility was good. "The airplane appeared out of the fog approximately up 150 ft. spiraling sharp to the right, and going down fast. It only took a few seconds for it to hit the ground." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating. According to records provided by the airplane's owner, the pilot obtained his private pilot certificate on August 24, 1995. The pilot completed a biennial flight review on August 13, 2000. The records indicated that in April 1999, the pilot had logged 230 flying hours. The pilot held a third class medical certificate dated August 10, 2000. Under limitations, the pilot's medical certificate stated the pilot must wear corrective lenses. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was owned and operated by West Central Airways, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and was used for flight instruction and rental purposes. The airplane underwent an annual inspection on July 17, 2000. The total airframe and tachometer times recorded at the annual inspection were 5,017 hours respectively. The tachometer time recorded at the accident site was 5,175 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 2017, the AWOS at FFM, 15 miles south of the accident site, reported sky conditions 600 overcast, 7 miles visibility, temperature 21 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 14 degrees F, winds 150 degrees at 12 knots, and altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Safety Board on site investigation began on March 10, 2001, at 1515. The accident site was located in a snow covered corn stubble field, 60 feet south of Otter Tail County-Township Road 370, an east-west running gravel road. The accident site, which contained the airplane main wreckage, covered an area approximately 50-feet long, running north to south, and 30-feet wide, running east to west. Preceding the main wreckage, and approximately 25 feet south of the road, was a set of east west running power lines. The power lines were suspended by 30-foot poles and paralleled the road. The power lines showed no damage. The main wreckage consisted of the entire airplane. The airplane rested on the engine, propeller, and cowling, and was oriented on a 230 degree magnetic heading. Beneath the main wreckage was an impact hole that contained the airplane's engine, propeller and part of the lower cowling. The hole was 4 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 3 feet at its deepest point. The airplane's engine was oriented at an 85 degree nose down angle. A spray of dirt and debris fanned outward from the impact hole in a 30 degree cone that extended south of the main wreckage. The debris consisted of several pieces of clear Plexiglas, and pieces of cabin interior panels. The airplane's engine mounts were broken aft and downward. The firewall was bent forward around the rear engine accessories and crankcase. The majority of the accessories were broken out. The top and bottom cowlings were broken aft. The top cowling rested 10 feet south of the main wreckage. The nose gear was broken aft. The wheel pant was broken off. The airplane's windscreen, glareshield, and instrument panel were broken out and fragmented. The front cabin floor was broken upward. The cabin ceiling and left aft cabin wall were crushed aft. Interior panels were broken out and fragmented. The cabin door was bent outward and crushed aft. The door window was broken out and fragmented. The cabin floor, aft of the front seats was broken downward. The right side cabin was crushed upward and aft. The right cabin windows and cabin interior panels were broken out and fragmented. The baggage area was crushed aft. The baggage door was broken out and crushed aft. The fuselage aft of the baggage compartment was bent downward, crushed aft and broken open at the bottom. The empennage was bent upward, just forward of the horizontal stabilator's leading edge. The vertical stabilizer showed bends and skin wrinkles. The rotating beacon at the top of the vertical stabilizer was bent forward 20 degrees from the vertical axis. The rudder was bent inward on the right side near the bottom. The horizontal stabilator and elevator trim tab showed bends and wrinkles. Flight control continuity from the cockpit to the rudder, horizontal stabilator, and stabilator trim tab was confirmed. The right wing was crushed aft along the leading edge. The top and bottom wing skin was buckled outward and aft. The right wing fuel tank was broken open forward. The top wing skin covering the fuel tank was broken out and forward along the top lateral rivet line. The smell of fuel was prevalent in the area in front of and beneath the tank. The front 18 inches of the right wing tip was bent upward and broken aft. The right flap was flush with the aft top wing surface. The flap showed several aft dents along the track edge. The left aileron showed upward and downward bends in several places along its span. Control continuity to the left aileron was confirmed. The right wing tip position light bulb filament remained intact and was stretched forward to form a "u" shape. The right main landing gear was bent aft. The front 10 inches of the right main gear wheel pant was broken aft. The left wing was crushed aft along the leading edge. The top and bottom wing skin was buckled outward and bent aft. The outboard 8 feet of the left wing was bent downward approximately 10 degrees. The left wing fuel tank was broken open forward. The wing skin over the fuel tank wars broken out along the top and bottom lateral rivet lines. The smell of fuel was prevalent in the area beneath the tank. The forward 11 inches of the left wing tip was crushed aft and broken downward. The tip was split longitudinally along the outside edge. The left wing tip position light lens cover and bulb globe were broken out. The bulb filament remained intact and was stretched forward to form a "u" shape. The left flap was bent upward at mid-span. The left aileron was bent downward at mid-span and crushed aft along the hinge line. Flight con ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55893](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55893-2002-01-25), registration cancelled 2002-01-25, S/N 28-7305495, built 1973 (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: 28-7305495 - Airframe hours: 5175 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: West Central Airways, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2000, 168 hours before - Departed: DTL, DETROIT LAKES, MN - Destination: FFM, FERGUS FALLS, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 13, 2000; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 230 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: FFM, 15 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 20010309006049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010309006049A), Mar 9, 2001: Piper PA28180, Erhard, MN, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Kdtl METAR 100152Z 17008KT 10SM clr M06/M08/A2987 kffm METAR 100157Z 15013KT 7SM OVC006 M06/M10/A2991 (.19) on March 9, 2001, at 2003 CST, a Piper… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=51883. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements & Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20%26%20Record%20of%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 667 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department Report (item 4, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Otter%20Tail%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 661 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 7, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (item 8, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Main Wreckage, Aft View (item 9, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156037&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Aft%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Main Wreckage, Left Side View (item 10, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156038&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Left%20Side%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Main Wreckage, Front View (item 11, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Front%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Main Wreckage, Right Side View (item 12, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Right%20Side%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Debris Field (item 13, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Debris%20Field-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Propeller (item 14, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Propeller-Master.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.