# NTSB CHI01LA103: Piper PA-28-140, N6532W, Port Huron, MI, March 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 2001, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Port Huron, MI - Coordinates: 42.910339, -82.600273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9103&lon=-82.6003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51955/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA103 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaing a proper glide path during the simulated forced landing. Factors were flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, other - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - performed, pilot in command - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a simulated forced landing approach. The pilot and flight instructor reported no injuries. The pilot stated, "After extensive training in flight the last maneuver was to be 'Simulated Engine Failure to a Power-Off Landing on Rwy. 04 at PHN'. Three quarters of the way down wind for runway 04@1400 MSL, the flight instructor pulled the throttle to an idle setting. The pilot immediately established best glide speed of 85 m.p.h., turning directly to runway 04. Approximately 75' AGL wind sheer was encountered. The student immediately responded full throttle and nose pitch down. However, the aircraft impacted the ground causing damage to the airframe. Both pilot and CFI walked to terminal to report the incident." The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunction failure occurred. The weather was: Wind 030 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 0 degrees C; dew point -4 degrees C; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 2001, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6532W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a simulated forced landing approach to runway 4 at Saint Clair County International Airport (PHN), near Port Huron, Michigan. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and flight instructor reported no injuries. The local flight review flight had departed from PHN about 0915 and was performing a simulated forced landing at PHN at the time of the accident. The pilot stated, "N6532W departed PHN at 9:15a.m. Friday for a biennial flight review. After extensive training in flight the last maneuver was to be 'Simulated Engine Failure to a Power-Off Landing on Rwy. 04 at PHN'. Three quarters of the way down wind for runway 04@1400 MSL, the flight instructor pulled the throttle to an idle setting. The pilot immediately established best glide speed of 85 m.p.h., turning directly to runway 04. Approximately 75' AGL wind sheer was encountered. The student immediately responded full throttle and nose pitch down. However, the aircraft impacted the ground causing damage to the airframe. Both pilot and CFI walked to terminal to report the incident." The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunction failure occurred. At 0900, the PHN weather was: Wind 030 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 0 degrees C; dew point -4 degrees C; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6532W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6532W-2010-03-31), registration cancelled 2010-03-31, S/N 28-20611, built 1965 (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: 28-20611 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jon J. Fournier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PHN, PORT HURON, MI - Destination: PHN - Airport: PHN, St Clair County Intl, runway 4, 5,103 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 3, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 562 total, 540 in this make and model - Check pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 30, 1999; seat: right; flight hours: 1,400 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PHN ## 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 20010316037979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010316037979A), Mar 16, 2001: Piper PA28140, Port Huron, MI, No damage. (-23) On March 16, 2001, mr jon fournier and Mr. Allen sturza were practicing landings during a flight review. On the 3rd landing the instructor (Mr. Sturza)… 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.