# NTSB CHI04CA170: Piper PA28-140, N55930, Rush City, MN, July 5, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2004, 22:30 local (Jul 5, 2004, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Rush City, MN
- Coordinates: 45.698055, -92.953056
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6981&lon=-92.9531&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA170

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which led to his loss of aircraft control.  Factors were the wind gusts, the ditch, and the fence.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane was damaged when it went off the left side of runway 34 and struck a ditch and a fence.  The pilot reported that just before touchdown, the airplane was blown left of the runway centerline and he decided to execute a go-around.  He said that as he added power, the airplane touched down and was pulled to the left and off of the runway.  He stated that he cut the power and went through a ditch and a barbed wire fence before coming to rest.  The winds were recorded as: 360 degrees magnetic at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2004, about 2230 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-140, N55930, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence after it went off the left side of runway 34 (4,400 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), at the Rush City Regional Airport, Rush City, Minnesota.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in night visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  No injuries were reported.  The local flight originated about 2200.

The pilot reported that during the landing approach, the airplane experienced gusty winds.  He stated that just before touchdown, the airplane was blown left of the runway centerline and he decided to execute a go-around.  He said that as he added power, the airplane touched down and was pulled to the left and off of the runway.  He stated that he cut the power and went through a ditch and a barbed wire fence before coming to rest.

The winds at 2235 were recorded as: 360 degrees magnetic at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55930](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55930), registered now, S/N 28-7325534, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA28-140
- 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: 28-7325534
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce E. Bjorklund
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KROS, Rush City, MN
- Airport: KROS, Rush City Regional, runway 34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 168 total, 56 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KROS

## 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 20040704016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040704016809A), Jul 4, 2004: Piper PA28140, Rush City, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On short final for runway 34, just prior to touch down a gust of wind caused aircraft to drift left. Pilot applied power to go around but the aircraft…

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.

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