# NTSB CHI83LA163: Piper PA-28-140E, N4395T, Lake, MI, April 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 43.850631, -84.999282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8506&lon=-84.9993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE WIND SHIFTED AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND THE ACFT STOPPED CLIMBING AND MUSHED DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4395T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4395T-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 28-7225180, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140E
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7225180
- Airframe hours: 5425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell J. Heffron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1982
- Airport: MI32, Scott, runway 9, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 289 total, 202 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F

## 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 19830410014579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830410014579A), Apr 10, 1983: Piper PA28140, Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Struck a fence on climbout that slowed aircraft. Mushed into ground and flipped over. Blamed a windshift on takeoff

## Other investigations on N4395T (2)

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 LAX73FUA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUA37), Mar 25, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N4395T), Capistrano, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX72DUM22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUM22), Mar 11, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N4395T), Santee, CA, 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.

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