# NTSB CHI83LA168: Piper PA-28-181, N8578C, Harrison, MI, April 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, MI
- Coordinates: 44.010635, -84.800155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0106&lon=-84.8002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND ON THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT BECAUSE OF A STRONG CROSSWIND AND HIGH AIRSPEED. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND FROM THE FLARE BECAUSE OF A 'STRONG UPDRAFT'. THE PILOT STATEDTHAT DURING THE GO-AROUND, SOMETHING BLACK COVERED THE RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. HE STATED THAT HE RESPONDED BY MOVING HIS RIGHT ARM UP AND TURNING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK TREES ABOUT 15 GAL AGL AND ABOUT 100 FEET TOTHE EAST OF THE RUNWAY MIDPOINT. A WITNESS STATED THAT ON THE SECOND LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES FOLLOWED BY THE LEFT WING RAISING. THE LANDING WAS ON RUNWAY 18. THE WIND WAS FROM 265 DEG AT 17 KTS GUSTING TO 20 KTS. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPORT HAD TWO TURF RUNWAYS (4/22 AND 10/28).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8578C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8578C), registered now, S/N 28-7690152, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 7690152
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hobby Flite,Inc
- Registered owner: Joseeph Haas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: YIP, YPSILANTI, MI
- Airport: 80B, Clare County, runway 18, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 86 total, 86 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 265° at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- 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 19830416014469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416014469A), Apr 16, 1983: Piper PA28181, Harrison, MI, Substantial damage. Drifted into trees off side of runway during a go around from aborted crosswind landing. Wind exceeded control.

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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