# NTSB CHI06LA139: Piper PA-28R-200, N3310P, Hale, MI, May 25, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2006, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Hale, MI - Coordinates: 44.365001, -83.762496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3650&lon=-83.7625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63784/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain clearance from the tree. Factors were the crosswind and the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when the left wing hit a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain after takeoff from runway 08 (2,400 feet long by 90 feet wide, grass). The pilot reported that he used the entire length of the runway to "build up takeoff speed." He reported the airplane lifted off the ground with about 800 feet of runway remaining. He reported, "Cross wind pushed aircraft left into tree line. Could not climb over tree at end of runway." The left wing clipped the tree about 40 feet above the ground, and the airplane landed in a field straight ahead. The landing gear hit a fence while landing. The pilot reported, "Cross wind had greater effect than anticipated based on the windsock. Blown into the path of the tree line. Possible gusting of wind." The pilot indicated there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. The pilot reported that the windsock indicated winds from 110 degrees at 7 - 10 knots. The inspection of the accident site revealed that the large oak tree that was struck was 55 feet in height and located about 330 feet from the runway and 75 feet left of center of runway 08. (The location of the tree is identified on the website for the airport, and is depicted in the state's airport directory) The inspection of the engine revealed no deficiencies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The airplane had about a 964-pound useful load limit. The combined weight of the pilot and three passengers was about 800 pounds. The fuel weighed about 160 pounds. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2006, at 1810 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N3310P, sustained substantial damage when the left wing hit a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain after takeoff from runway 08 (2,400 feet by 90 feet, grass) at the Field of Dreams Airport (H80), Hale, Michigan. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was departing H80 with Willow Run Airport (YIP), Ypsilanti, Michigan, as the intended destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he used the entire length of the runway to "build up takeoff speed." He reported the airplane lifted off the ground with about 800 feet of runway remaining. He reported, "Cross wind pushed aircraft left into tree line. Could not climb over tree at end of runway." The left wing clipped the tree about 40 feet above the ground, and the airplane landed in a field straight ahead. The landing gear hit a fence while landing. The pilot reported, "Cross wind had greater effect than anticipated based on the windsock. Blown into the path of the tree line. Possible gusting of wind." The pilot indicated there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. The pilot reported that the windsock indicated winds from 110 degrees at 7 - 10 knots. The inspection of the accident site by the Michigan State Police revealed that a large oak tree 55 feet in height was located about 330 feet from the runway and 75 feet left of center of runway 08. (The location of the tree was identified on a third-party commercial website for H08, and was depicted in the Michigan Airport Directory) Debris from the airplane was observed in the tree. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. The inspection of the engine revealed that the crankshaft rotated and all cylinders exhibited thumb compression. The valve and drive train exhibited continuity. The inspector reported that the ignition timing was correct, the spark plugs were good, and the magnetos sparked. Throttle and mixture control continuity was confirmed. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position. There was 1/2 tank of fuel in each fuel tank. The propeller exhibited minor damage. The inspector reported that the airplane had about a 964-pound useful load limit. He reported that the combined weight of the pilot and three passengers was about 800 pounds, and the fuel weighed about 160 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3310P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3310P), registered now, S/N 28R-7435121, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7435121 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David D. Berger - Registered owner: Lekk LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2006 - Departed: H80, Hale, MI - Destination: 9MI0, Ypsilanti, MI - Airport: H80, Field of Dreams Airport, runway 8, 2,400 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 226 total, 5 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: OSC, 35 nm away 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.