# NTSB CHI04CA296: Piper PA-16, N5891H, Port Huron, MI, September 18, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 18, 2004, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Huron, MI
- Coordinates: 42.911109, -82.528892
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9111&lon=-82.5289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Detroit, MI FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA296

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll which resulted in the overload failure of the right main landing gear.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane experienced a loss of directional control and gear collapse during a landing roll.  The pilot reported the airplane "... lost directional control swerving to right because right landing gear broke.  Aircraft slid off runway - crapping right wing tip."  According to airport personnel the airplane veered to the left coming to rest off the left side of the runway with the right main landing gear folded under the fuselage.  Inspection of the runway revealed two skid marks which veered to the left, followed by another skid mark which contained a gouge in the runway.

## Factual narrative

On September 18, 2004, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-16, N5891H, experienced a loss of directional control while landing on runway 04 (5,103 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the St. Clair County Airport, Port Huron, Michigan.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from Waterford, Michigan, at 1430.

The pilot reported the airplane "... lost directional control swerving to right because right landing gear broke.  Aircraft slid off runway - scrapping right wing tip."

According to airport personnel the airplane veered to the left coming to rest off the left side of the runway with the right main landing gear folded under the fuselage.  Inspection of the runway revealed two skid marks which veered to the left, followed by another skid mark which contained a gouge in the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5891H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5891H), registered now, S/N 16-512, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-512
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nancy Walters
- Registered owner: Nancy Walters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PTK, Waterford, MI
- Destination: PHN, Port Huron, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,736 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,590 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 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 20040918026909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040918026909A), Sep 18, 2004: Piper PA16, Port Huron, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Airport facility maintenance personnel escorted us to the aircraft recovery site. At that time we conducted the runway investigation finding evidence of…

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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