# NTSB CHI88LA105: Piper PA-28-140D, N6433R, Whittemore, MI, April 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1988, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Whittemore, MI
- Coordinates: 44.229465, -83.800926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2295&lon=-83.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON A FARMER'S STRIP, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STRIP, INTO A PLOWED FIELD WHERE IT STRUCK A ROCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6433R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6433R), registered now, S/N 28-21614, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140D
- 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: 2821614
- Airframe hours: 4096
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Seeley, Ward E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1988, 16 hours before
- Departed: 3SG, SAGINAW, MI
- Destination: NONE, WHITTEMORE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 186 total, 42 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 43 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 19880430012239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880430012239A), Apr 30, 1988: Piper PA28140, Whittmore, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in a crosswind. Veered off runway into rocks, then flew the damaged aircraft back to base.

## Other investigations on N6433R (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 CHI69F0230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0230), Aug 13, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N6433R), Saginaw, MI, 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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