CHI85LA155

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-32RT-300T · Port Huron, MI · April 7, 1985

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 7, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
Place
Port Huron, MI
Injuries
1 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N2135APiper PA-32RT-300T
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19850407010899A
Case key
13038

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherApproach
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - rainFactor
Weather condition - turbulenceFactor
Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Weather condition - windshearFactor
Compensation for wind conditions - inadequatePilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterGo-around (vfr)
Go-around - delayedPilot in commandCause
Airspeed - not maintained
Descent - inadvertent
In flight collision with objectGo-around (vfr)
Object - runway light

Analysis

After a practice instrument apch, the plt (PIC) entered the traffic pattern to land on rwy 23. While in the pattern, theair became very turbulent. UNICOM reported the wind was from 270 deg at 20 gusting 35 KTS. On final apch with the flaps fully extended, the plt initiated a go-around at aprx 50 ft AGL & applied power to 36' manifold pressure. He stated thatthe airspeed was aprx 110 KTS when the acft encountered a severe vertical downwind shear, struck the ground aprx 10 ft west of the rwy, & hit a rwy light. Two witnesses noted that the acft appeared so slow on final apch that they went to the UNICOM to advise that 'the winds were now 290 deg at 25 gusting to 35.' They said power was applied & the acft pitched nose down. Also, a witness reported 'heavy' wx aprx 10 to 15 mi west of the arpt, moving east, & rain began shortly after the accident. The flt manual noted: when power is advanced for a go-around from a low power, full flap approach, a nose down pitch will occur which must be countered with aft control input.

Aircraft

Registration
N2135A
Reported as
Piper PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
32-7987009
Airframe hours
540
Engine
Lycoming TIO-540-K1G5D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Turner Aviation, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
DET · Detroit, MI
Airport
PHN · St. Clair County, runway 23, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
46
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
890 total · 114 in this make and model · 597 as pilot in command · 4 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
3,500 ft broken
Temperature
45 °F, dew point 30 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MTC, 22 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.