# NTSB CHI03LA130: Piper PA-24-260, N9181P, Blaney Park, MI, May 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2003, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Blaney Park, MI - Coordinates: 46.127777, -85.941665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1278&lon=-85.9417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57027/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the tree line. Factors contributing to this accident were the wind gusts and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted trees and terrain while on landing approach. The pilot reported encountering a sudden sink rate 125 to 150 feet above ground level, while descending to land on runway 16. The pilot noted he increased engine power and pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to stop the descent. The pilot stated the airplane continued to descend and impacted a line of trees. The pilot reported the airplane slid 15 to 20 feet and pivoted to the right 180 degrees. At 1557, a weather reporting station, 13 nautical miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2003, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9181P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, while on approach to runway 16 (3,000 feet by 90 feet, macadam) at a private airstrip near Blaney Park, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Pontiac, Michigan, at 1215. The pilot reported he encountered a "sudden sink rate" while descending to land at the private airstrip. The pilot noted he was at 125 to 150 feet above ground level when the airplane began the uncontrolled descent. The pilot stated he increased power and applied backpressure to the yoke. The pilot indicated the airplane continued to descend into a line of trees 75 to 100 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane impacted the trees and subsequently the terrain short of the runway. The pilot noted the airplane slid 15 to 20 feet and pivoted to the right about 180 degrees. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. At 1557, a weather reporting station at Schoolcraft County Airport (ISQ), 13 nautical miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9181P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9181P-2005-07-20), registration cancelled 2005-07-20, S/N 24-4671, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4671 - Airframe hours: 4462 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: PTK, Pontiac, MI - Destination: PVT, Blaney Park, MI - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 16, 3,000 × 90 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 31, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 2,795 total, 2,795 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ISQ, 13 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 20030519013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519013869A), May 19, 2003: Piper PA24260, Blaney Park, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot approached rwy 16 at Private Airport (Blaney Park). The approach was low and flat, the aircraft struck tree tops starting approximately 100 feet… 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.