# NTSB CHI85LA299: Piper PA-28-140, N5279S, Big Falls, MN, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1985, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Big Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 48.180088, -93.800521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1801&lon=-93.8005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA299

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT DIVERTED INTO THE BIG FALLS ARPT BECAUSE HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION WAS BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. AFTER CHECKING THE SOD RUNWAY FOR A FIRMNESS & DETERMINING A GO/NO GO POINT, HE SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK OFF USING SOFT FIELD TECHNIQUES. HIS ROTATION WAS WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DESIGNATED GO/NO GO POINT.  THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES TO THE WEST OF THE AIRFIELD. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE TO A WIND SHIFT OR WIND SHEAR. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS & 35 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5279S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26909
- Airframe hours: 3080
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pelican Valley Aviators
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: 7Y9
- Destination: INL, INT'L FALLS, MN
- Airport: 7Y9, Big Falls, runway 29, 2,602 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 162 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIB

## 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 19850719032879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719032879A), Jul 19, 1985: Piper PA28140, Big Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Short field takeoff from sod runway. Unable to maintain climb after reaching trees at departure end. Struck trees.

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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