# NTSB CHI88LA173: Piper J-3, N25WF, Minneapolis, MN, July 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1988, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 45.019634, -93.240272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0196&lon=-93.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA173

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING A LANDING ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRIKE THE VASI LIGHTS. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ONLY FLOWN 2 HOURS, INCLUDING 10 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, IN THE PAST 90 DAYS, AND STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE SHIFTING AROUND WHILE HE WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25WF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25WF), registered now, S/N 5671 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper/Wally'S Flyers J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-wally-s-flyers-j3c-65) (registry code 7100537) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5671
- Airframe hours: 236
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wally'S Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wally'S Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1987, 86 hours before
- Airport: MIC, Minneapolis-Crystal, runway 13L, 3,267 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 87 total, 29 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC

## 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 19880722052009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880722052009A), Jul 22, 1988: Piper J3C65, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing roll. Added power to go around but continued off runway and hit the VASI lights

## Other investigations on N25WF (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 CEN10CA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA329), Jun 19, 2010: Piper/Wally'S Flyers J3C-65 (N25WF), Crystal, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing and the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.