# NTSB CHI04CA258: Piper PA-28-140, N7662C, Detroit, MI, September 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 13, 2004, 16:48 local (20:48 UTC) - Place: Detroit, MI - Coordinates: 42.409168, -83.009719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4092&lon=-83.0097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60158/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA258 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare and subsequent go-around. A factor was the T-hangar. ## 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) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - hangar/airport building (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane became embedded in a T-hangar following a loss of directional control during a landing/go-around. The student pilot stated he performed three full stop takeoffs and landings, and the accident occurred during the fourth landing. He stated the airplane veered sharply to the left as he was beginning to flare so he added power to go-around. The airplane did not gain altitude and it kept veering to the left. The student pilot stated he decided to extend the flaps and the last thing he remembers is reaching for the flap handle. The airplane contacted a T-hangar which was located off the left side of the runway, coming to rest embedded in the T-hangar approximately 10 feet above the ground. The local winds reported at 1653 were from 140 degrees at 11 knots. The local winds reported at 1707 were from 120 degrees at 10 knots. Inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any flight control failure/malfunction that would have resulted in the accident. The student pilot reported having 39.6 total hours of flight time, 5.5 hours of which were solo. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2004, at 1648 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7662C, collided with a T-hangar following a loss of directional control during a go-around on runway 15 (5,090 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Detroit City Airport (DET), Detroit, Michigan. The student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated at DET about 1600. The student pilot stated he performed three full stop takeoffs and landings. The accident occurred during the fourth landing. He stated the airplane veered sharply to the left as he was beginning to flare. He stated he decided to go around so he added power, but the airplane did not gain altitude and it kept veering to the left. The student pilot stated he decided to extend the flaps and the last thing he remembers is reaching for the flap handle. The airplane contacted a T-hangar which was located off the left side of the runway, coming to rest embedded in the T-hangar approximately 10 feet above the ground. The local winds reported at 1653 were form 140 degrees at 11 knots. The local winds reported at 1707 were from 120 degrees at 10 knots. Inspection of the airplane by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Detroit Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any flight control failure/malfunction that would have resulted in the accident. The student pilot reported having 39.6 total hours of flight time, 5.5 hours of which were solo. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7662C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7662C-2005-10-27), registration cancelled 2005-10-27, S/N 28-7625079, built 1975 (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: 28-7625079 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Great Lakes Flight LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DET, Detroit, MI - Destination: DET, Detroit, MI - Airport: DET, Detroit City Airport, runway 15 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day 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.