# NTSB CHI08CA285: Piper PA-28-161, N4349K, Lakeville, MN, September 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2008, 21:00 local (Sep 18, 2008, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeville, MN - Coordinates: 44.627777, -93.228057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6278&lon=-93.2281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA285 ## Probable cause The pilot's lack of clearance from the approach lights and the distraction of those bright approach lights during his night approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was going to perform two night landings at the accident airport before departing to his destination. He said that he was too high on final and reduced the power to idle and descended. The approach lights were on and the pilot reported that they were bright. He said that he was pressing the push to talk switch while looking at the lights and heard a loud bang. He stated that the airplane porpoised and he then regained control and landed. The approach lights were damaged and the airplane sustained substantial damage. His safety recommendation said, "I should have aborted landing when I saw I was too high – went around, adjusted light brightness in the pattern and then landed." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was going to perform two night landings at the accident airport before departing to his destination. He said that he was too high on final and reduced the power to idle and descended. The approach lights were on and the pilot reported that they were bright. He said that he was pressing the push to talk switch while looking at the lights and heard a loud bang. He stated that the airplane porpoised, he then regained control, and landed. The approach lights were damaged and the airplane sustained substantial damage. His safety recommendation said, "I should have aborted landing when I saw I was too high – went around, adjusted light brightness in the pattern and then landed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4349K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4349K-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 28-8416067 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8416067 - Airframe hours: 9244 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sigurd Larsen III - Registered owner: Thunderbird Aircraft Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2008 - Departed: LVN, Lakeville, MN - Destination: FCM, Minneapolis, MN - Airport: LVN, Airlake Airport, runway 30 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 33 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: LVN ## 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 20080917850359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080917850359A), Sep 17, 2008: Piper PA28161, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While on approach to landing at Airlake Airport (klvn) the aircraft came into contact with the approach light system (malsr). ## Other investigations on N4349K (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI85LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA294), Jul 17, 1985: Piper PA-28-161 (N4349K), Schaumburg, IL, substantial damage 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.