# NTSB CHI80FA050: Piper PA-11S, N5065H, Orleans, MI, July 4, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 4, 1980
- Place: Orleans, MI · ORLEANS, MI
- Location: 43.0686° N, 85.1350° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orleans, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0686&lon=-85.1350&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FA050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FA050

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1779   80/7/4  NR.ORLEANS,MI         PIPER PA-11S        CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1717                    N5065H              PX-  1  0  0  TEST                      AGE 34, 2452 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ORLEANS,MI                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 700
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          135                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQPD.TKOF FRM LAKE,HEAVY BOAT TRAFFIC.HIT BOAT WAKE DRG RUN.DA APRX 2400FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5065H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5065H), registered now, S/N 11-965, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11S
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800704055989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800704055989A), Jul 4, 1980: Piper PA11, Orleans, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Made premature water life-off after striking boat wake. Made nose-up climb until stall. Impact vertical.

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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