# NTSB CHI01LA305: Piper PA-28-161, N240ND, Grand Forks, ND, September 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 2001, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.920661, -97.069946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9207&lon=-97.0699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53403/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA305 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - flare - misjudged, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - runway light (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects during an attempted go around. The instructor and dual student pilot sustained no injuries. The instructor pilot reported, "Add all power for go-around. Aircraft pitch was high ... . On trying to maintain control I lossed control causing left wheel to take out runway lights and touchdown and somehow hit right [ailerons]. Came to full stop between taxiways C-1 [and] C-2. [Wrecking] nose wheel, propeller, [and] [aileron]." The instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or failure. The wind was 180 degrees at 16 knots. The student pilot stated, "We approached the runway and as we came down I flared to land[.] I flared too much and we [ballooned] up." The instructor's safety recommendation stated, "Initiate go around procedure sooner." ## Factual narrative On September 5, 2001, about 0915 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N240ND, piloted by a certified flight instructor and student pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects during an attempted go around from runway 17L (3,900 feet by 75 feet, dry/concrete) at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The instructional flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The instructor and dual student pilot sustained no injuries. The local flight departed from GFK at 0800 and was attempting a go around at the time of the accident. The instructor pilot reported: On third approach we were high. On short final added 40 [degrees] flaps airspeed was approximately 70-65 kts. Once over the #s student pulled throttle to idle. Started to flare and aircraft [ballooned]. I added some power but that didn't settle aircraft. Add all power for go-around. Aircraft pitch was high ... . On trying to maintain control I lossed control causing left wheel to take out runway lights and touchdown and somehow hit right [ailerons]. Came to full stop between taxiways C-1 [and] C-2. [Wrecking] nose wheel, propeller, [and] [aileron]. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or failure. At 0913, the GFK weather was: Wind 180 degrees at 16 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition broken 12,000 feet; temperature 22 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.78 inches of mercury. The student pilot stated, "We approached the runway and as we came down I flared to land[.] I flared too much and we balloned up." The instructor's safety recommendation stated, "Initiate go around procedure sooner." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N240ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N240ND-2010-04-19), registration cancelled 2010-04-19, S/N 2842049, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2842049 - Airframe hours: 2552.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: University of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, August 16, 2001, 49.4 hours before - Departed: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks Intl, runway 17L, 3,900 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 4, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 408 total, 164 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 20010905027069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010905027069A), Sep 5, 2001: Piper PA28161, Grand Forks, ND, No damage. (-23) On 09/05/01 at approximately 0900 local time, a PA-28-161, N240ND operated by the university of north dakota and flown by jennifer l. crouse lost… 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.