# NTSB CHI88FA249: Piper PA-60-601P, N14HR, Columbus, OH, October 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1988, 21:24 local (Oct 1, 1988, 01:24 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Location: 39.9612° N, 82.9988° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbus, OH, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9612&lon=-82.9988&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA249

## Probable cause

AERODYNAMICALLY STALLED LIFTING SURFACE CAUSING AN UNCOMMANDED PITCH OVER AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW TO AFFECT A RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - door - not secured (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - door - open (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14HR-1990-04-16), registration cancelled 1990-04-16, S/N 61P0479193 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0479-193
- Airframe hours: 3075
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-51A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Holbert, doing business as Executive Aircraft Leasing
- Registered owner: Robert Hollbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Ohio State University, runway 9R, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,802 total, 1,315 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSU, 1 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 19880930042399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880930042399A), Sep 30, 1988: Piper PA60601P, Columbus, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Erratic flight on climbout. Lost control turning, dived into ground. Improperly locked upper door section came open

## Other investigations on N14HR (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 NYC87LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA189), Jun 26, 1987: Piper PA-60 (N14HR), Doylestown, PA, 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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