# NTSB CHI84LA370: Piper PA-22-150, N7335D, Lake City, MI, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1984, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, MI
- Coordinates: 44.329612, -85.199729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3296&lon=-85.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA370
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA370

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE ACFT FLEW INTO A TREE ADJACENT TO A ROAD NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE PROPERTY OWNER REPORTED THAT THE TURF AIRSTRIP WAS APRX 1,500 FT LONG. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 3,500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7335D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7335D-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 22-5124, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5124
- Airframe hours: 2285
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-TC374 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald West
- Registered owner: Floyd E. Helsel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1983
- Departed: LAKE CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 114 total, 80 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL

## 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 19840829044439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840829044439A), Aug 29, 1984: Piper PA22150, Lake City, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot claims engine lost power during takeoff and aircraft crashed into trees during emergency landing.

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.