# NTSB CHI83LA112: Piper PA28-140, N6487W, Three Oaks, MI, February 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1983, 23:20 local (Feb 13, 1983, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Three Oaks, MI
- Location: 41.7985° N, 86.6139° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Three Oaks, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7985&lon=-86.6139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA112

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - initiated, unqualified person (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, unqualified person (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not possible, unqualified person (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A WIRE DURING THE LANDING APPROACH AND LANDED HARD ENOUGH TO COLLAPSE THE NOSE GEAR. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER THE FLT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED AND THE PERSON AT THE CONTROLS HELD NO PILOT CERTIFICATE. THE PILOT MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, 'I WAS SIMPLY TOO LOW AND THE RIGHT WHEEL CAUGHT THE ELECTRIC WIRE WHICH FORCED THE PLANE NOSE OVER, AT WHICH TIME ALL I COULD DO WAS PULL THE RUDDER ALL THE WAY BACK TO KEEP FROM LANDING ON THE NOSE. AS IT HAPPENED I LANDED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION BUT I HIT TOO HARD AND BROKE OFF THE NOSE WHEEL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6487W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6487W-1990-08-27), registration cancelled 1990-08-27, S/N 2820562 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20562
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daryl D. Cummings
- Registered owner: Peter Babovac
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1982, 1 hours before
- Airport: 39C, Oselka, runway 26, 2,770 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830212006059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830212006059A), Feb 12, 1983: Piper PA28140, Three Oaks, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed after hitting wires on final approach for landing. Flight was not authorized.

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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