# NTSB CHI83LA412: Piper PA-15, N4142H, Houghton Hts., MI, September 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1983, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Houghton Hts., MI
- Location: 44.3312° N, 84.7910° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOUGHTON LAKE STATE (5Y2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3312&lon=-84.7910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA412

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT TURN & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE & THE PLANE CRASHED. THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN BY THE OWNER, WHO DID NOT POSSESS AN FAA PLT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE ACFT ENTERED A 'DOWNDRAFT OR AIR POCKET' AFTER TAKEOFF & ENTERED A DESCENT. HOWEVER, IN HIS STATEMENT, HE FAILED TO MENTION THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE ENTERED A STEEP, RIGHT TURN. THE ACFT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN THE LAST 6 YRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4142H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4142H-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 15-25 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15-25
- Airframe hours: 1821
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph C. Bower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1977, 21 hours before
- Airport: 5Y2, Houghton Lake State, runway 16, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830903050069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830903050069A), Sep 3, 1983: Piper PA15, Houghton Height, MI, Destroyed. Aircraft struck tree after pilot made sharp turn after takeoff. Pilot had no certificate or medical.

## Other investigations on N4142H (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 FTW74AF064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF064), Feb 28, 1974: Piper PA-15 (N4142H), Elsa, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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