# NTSB CHI87LA161: Piper PA-28, N56808, Duluth, MN, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 47.050449, -92.070175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0504&lon=-92.0702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- Nose over, landing - aborted
  - go-around - initiated
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

RPRTDLY, THE WINDS WERE PREVAILING FROM THE NORTHEAST & WERE VARIABLE & GUSTY. THE PLT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 14, BUT ABORTED HIS 1ST ATTEMPT. DURING THE 2ND APCH, HE USED A NOTCH OF FLAPS & CORRECTED FOR THE X-WIND BY SLIPPING THE ACFT INTO THE WIND. HE STATED THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE MAIN GEAR ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND AGAIN, BUT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE ONLY BRIEFLY. IT THEN TOUCHED DOWN IN SANDY TERRAIN & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56808](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56808-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 28-7425040, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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: 28-7425040
- Airframe hours: 2684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Loretta C. Gee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1987
- Departed: D36, DULUTH, MN
- Airport: D36, Duluth/Sky Harbor, runway 14, 3,051 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 7 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 10 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 19870705032219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705032219A), Jul 5, 1987: Piper PA28140, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Veered landing in gusty winds. Began go around too late, struck a sand dune off the side of runway and nosed over.

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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