# NTSB CHI83LA305: Piper PA-22, N3504Z, Berrien Springs, MI, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1983, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Berrien Springs, MI
- Location: 41.9511° N, 86.3681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AIRPARK (C20), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9511&lon=-86.3681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA305

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE LANDED, THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM WEST TO NORTH AT 12 TO 15 KTS. HE STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE HELD THE TAIL UP IN THE SLIP STREAM. REPORTEDLY, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS GOOD UNTIL THE ACFT ENTERED AN AREA THAT WAS NOT PROTECTED BY TREES ON THE WEST SIDE. AT THAT POINT, THE ACFT SWERVED INTO THE WIND. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT RAN INTO A CORN FIELD BESIDE THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3504Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3504Z), registered now, S/N 22-7399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry O. Jenkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983
- Departed: C20, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI
- Airport: C20, Berrien Springs, runway 31, 3,120 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 387 total, 25 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19830709029329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709029329A), Jul 9, 1983: Piper PA22160, Berrien Springs, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind. Aircraft ground looped.

## Other investigations on N3504Z (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 IAD76AKM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AKM06), Jul 29, 1975: Piper PA-22 (N3504Z), Ashville, NC, 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.