# NTSB CHI88LA029: Piper PA-28, N9817W, Lake City, MI, November 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1987, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, MI
- Coordinates: 44.329978, -85.199028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3300&lon=-85.1990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. DURING THE INITIAL GROUND RUN, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 8 TO 10 KTS. APRX 20 MI ENE, THE 1553 EST HOUGHTON LAKE WIND WAS FROM 150 DEG AT 7 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9817W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9817W-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N 28-23319, built 1967 (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: 2823319
- Airframe hours: 3150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry C. Gubler
- Registered owner: Henry C Gubler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1987
- Airport: Y91, Home Acres Sky Ranch, runway 18, 2,345 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 90 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 20 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 19871122069309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871122069309A), Nov 22, 1987: Piper PA28140, Lake City, MI, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff on a snow covered runway. Lost control aborted and veered off the runway into trees.

## Other investigations on N9817W (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 OAK68D0261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68D0261), Dec 24, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N9817W), Modesto, CA, 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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