# NTSB CHI85LA155: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N2135A, Port Huron, MI, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Huron, MI
- Coordinates: 42.970634, -82.42041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9706&lon=-82.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained
  - descent - inadvertent
- In flight collision with object, go-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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7987009
- Airframe hours: 540
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 46; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850407010899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850407010899A), Apr 7, 1985: Piper PA32RT300T, Port Huron, MI, Substantial damage. Advanced power for a go around and nose pitched down. Impacted the ground. Exceeded crosswing component of aircraft.

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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