# NTSB CHI01LA078: Piper PA-34-220T, N4123K, Charlevoix, MI, February 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 2001, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Charlevoix, MI - Location: 45.3049° N, 85.2753° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHARLEVOIX MUNI (CVX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3049&lon=-85.2753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 51443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51443/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA078 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane due to inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind, the icy runway, and the snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a snow bank following a loss of control during landing roll. The landing was being made on runway 27. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right of the runway due to too much right aileron input. He reported he neutralized the aileron and steered with the rudder. A gust of wind along with the crosswind then lifted the right wing and the airplane veered to the left where it contacted ice on the runway and slid into a snow bank. Inspection revealed the center of the runway was clear, however, there were patches of ice along the left side of the runway. The snow along the sides of the runway was high enough so that only the tops of the runway lights were visible. The pilot reported winds from 330 at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. A weather observation at the airport taken 6 minutes after the accident reported winds from 320 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 2, 2001, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N4123K, operated by a private pilot, collided with a runway light and snow bank following a loss of directional control during landing. The landing was being made on runway 27 (4,550 feet by 75 feet), at the Charlevoix Municipal Airport, Charlevoix, Michigan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Pontiac, Michigan, at 1500 est. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the "…aircraft veered right due to too much right aileron into right crosswind. I neutralized aileron and steered to left with rudder. Wind gust and right crosswind lifted right wing and aircraft veered left, hit ice and slid into left snow bank while moving in forward direction." The pilot reported the left propeller, left main gear, and left flap contacted the snow bank. The pilot reported the winds were from 330 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots, during the landing. A weather observation taken at the Charlevoix Municipal Airport, 6 minutes after the accident, reported the winds were from 320 degrees at 9 knots. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the runway after the accident. He reported the center of the runway was clear, however, there were patches of ice along the left side of the runway. He reported that the snow along the sides of the runway was high enough so that only the tops of the runway lights were visible. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4123K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4123K-2011-06-02), registration cancelled 2011-06-02, S/N 3449052, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-220T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 GB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-gb) (registry code 17070, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3449052 - Airframe hours: 537 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-RB1B 220 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-360-RB1B 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2001, 162 hours before - Departed: PTK, Pontiac, MI - Destination: CVX, Charlevoix, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CVX, Charlevoix Municipal Airport, runway 27, 4,550 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 29, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,337 total, 235 in this make and model, 1,239 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: CVX ## 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 20010202000519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010202000519A), Feb 2, 2001: Piper PA34220T, Charlevoix, MI, No damage. (-23) Pilot landing runway 27, cvx, wind reported as 320 degrees at 9 knots. Pilot stated he did not get properly lined up wiht runway, did not use proper… 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.