# NTSB CHI84LA075: Piper J-4E, N37996, White Bear Lake, MN, January 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1984, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: White Bear Lake, MN
- Location: 45.0652° N, 93.0129° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of White Bear Lake, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0652&lon=-93.0129&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,ski assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - fatigue (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SKI-EQUIPPED ACFT SUFFERED LANDING GEAR FAILURE DURING A LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED TURF RWY. THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED WHEN AN ATTACH POINT FAILED. THE PLT GAVE FATIGUE FAILURE AS A REASON FOR THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37996](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37996), registered now, S/N 4-1489, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-4E
- Registry model: [Piper J4E](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4e) (registry code 7100610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-1489
- Airframe hours: 1395
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond A. Schroeder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1983, 35 hours before
- Airport: 76Y, Benson'S, runway 13, 2,000 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,017 total, 60 in this make and model, 855 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19840101000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840101000229A), Jan 1, 1984: Piper J4E, White Bear Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Ski equipped main landing gear cluster separated at tubular welds attach point while landing on hard packed snow.

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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