# NTSB CHI88FA244: Piper PA-28, N6151W, Hutchinson, MN, September 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1988, 10:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: Hutchinson, MN
- Coordinates: 44.880355, -94.37001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8804&lon=-94.3700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA244

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT RATED PILOT TO USE PROPER CONTROL INPUTS AND PROCEDURES TO REGAIN AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE EXECUTING A GO-AROUND FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE CAUSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS OBSERVED PRACTICING LANDINGS. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THE WIND HAD SHIFTED TO A X-WIND & THE STUDENT HAD CHANGED FROM RWY 15 TO RWY 33. AFTER 2 UNREMARKABLE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, HE APCHD FOR ANOTHER LANDING. A PLT WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT BALLOONED DRG THE FLARE & SUBSEQUENTLY BOUNCED AFTER TOUCHING DOWN LONG. THE STUDENT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND, BUT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT CONTD IN AN ARC TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE APRX 200' LEFT OF THE RWY, THEN THE ACFT DSCNDD IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6151W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6151W-1989-12-21), registration cancelled 1989-12-21, S/N 2820170 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20170
- Airframe hours: 4043
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Hamilton, doing business as Hutch Flight Service
- Registered owner: James Hamilton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1988, 29 hours before
- Airport: NCD, Hutchinson Muni, runway 33, 3,206 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWK, 35 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 19880925040029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880925040029A), Sep 25, 1988: Piper PA28140, Hutchinson, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Bounced and porpoised on landing, elected to go around. Allowed aircraft to veer left on climbout into 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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