# NTSB CHI88LA103: Piper PA28-140D, N5965U, Flushing, MI, April 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1988, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, MI
- Coordinates: 43.060531, -83.840621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0605&lon=-83.8406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING ON A SHORT, GRASS STRIP, THE PILOT SAID SHE ENCOUNTERED SUNGLARE WHICH RESTRICTED HER VISIBILITY SUCH THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO JUDGE THE LANDING. TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT LEFT THE RUNWAY AT THE DEPARTURE END, STRUCK A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING, AND CAME TO REST IN A STAND OF TREES ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RUNWAY. A NEARBY WX OBSERVATION STATION INDICATED A 6 KNOT TAILWIND FOR THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5965U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5965U-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 28-7125144, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140D
- 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: 287125144
- Airframe hours: 2508
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grambush, James D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1987, 4 hours before
- Departed: FNT, FLINT, MI
- Destination: 3DA, FLUSHING, MI
- Airport: 3DA, Dalton, runway 27, 1,850 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 86 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 140 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 8 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 19880430011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880430011209A), Apr 30, 1988: Piper PA28140, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. Landed long on grass strip. Unable to stop,ran off end into trees. Blamed sun reflection on grass obscured runway.

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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