# NTSB CHI84LA392: Piper PA-28-140, N98017, Grand Rapids, MI, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 21:45 local (Sep 16, 1984, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI
- Location: 42.9634° N, 85.6681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Rapids, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9634&lon=-85.6681&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): 12776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA392

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night
  - airport facilities,runway end ident lights(reil) - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

IN AN EFFORT TO LAND AT THE THRESHOLD THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND LANDED SHORT OF THE PREPARED SURFACE. RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS WERE OPERATING BUT RUNWAY END IDENTIFIER LIGHTS WERE NOT INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98017](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98017), registered now, S/N 28-26000, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26000
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: South Kent Bald Eagles, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1984
- Departed: FFO, DAYTON, OH
- Airport: CO5, South Kent, runway 31, 2,070 × 135 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,500 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 8 nm away

## 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 19840915051709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915051709A), Sep 15, 1984: Piper PA28140, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit fence off approach end of runway. Pilot said he misjudged approach attempting to land on end of runway

## Other investigations on N98017 (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 CHI70F0356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70F0356), Dec 6, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N98017), Vandalia, OH, 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.

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