# NTSB CHI88DER13: Piper PA-22-150, N7222D, Cohasset, MN, September 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Cohasset, MN
- Coordinates: 47.259704, -93.619766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2597&lon=-93.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DER13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DER13

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PIC TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDE PATH IN ORDER TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS ALONG THE FLIGHT PATH OF HIS FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON FINAL APCH TO LAND AT A PVT AIRSTRIP. THE PLT STATED THAT ON EARLIER ATTEMPTS TO LAND HE WAS HIGH AND FAST. HE STATED HE INTENTIONALLY SLOWED THE ACFT AND USED LESS ALT IN ORDER TO NOT LAND TOO LONG ON THE AIRSTRIP. HE STATED THAT ON SHORT FINAL, THE ACFT DESCENDED BELOW THE TREE LINE BECAUSE OF A DOWNDRAFT. HE STATED HE ADDED POWER BUT WAS AFRAID THAT IF HE RAISED THE NOSE, THE ACFT WOULD STALL. THEREFORE, HE KEPT THE NOSE LEVEL AND FLEW THROUGH THE TREE TOPS. THE ACFT CONTACTED ONE LARGE TREE AND DESCENDED TO THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7222D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7222D-1992-12-30), registration cancelled 1992-12-30, S/N 225047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cutsforth, David L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1988
- Departed: COHASSET, MN
- Destination: COHASSET, MN
- Airport: runway 27, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 55 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPZ, 5 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 19880905036959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905036959A), Sep 5, 1988: Piper PA22150, Cohasset, MN, Substantial damage. Struck trees on final approach to his private strip. Collision with trees sheared off right main. Hit nose low.

## Other investigations on N7222D (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 MKC75DER32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DER32), Dec 2, 1974: Piper PA-22 (N7222D), Marshall, MN, 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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