# NTSB CHI89LA013: Piper PA-31-350, N300HF, Big Rapids, MI, October 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1988, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Big Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 43.700916, -85.47956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7009&lon=-85.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, circling (ifr)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, circling (ifr)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE DURING AN IFR CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT FINAL, HE TIGHTENED UP THE BANK. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND THE LEFT WING IMPACTED ON THE ASPHALT RUNWAY. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, SUSTAINING NO FURTHER DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300HF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300HF-2013-03-12), registration cancelled 2013-03-12, S/N 31-7812008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7812008
- Airframe hours: 4303
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hansen Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 14, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: AMM, ALMA, MI
- Destination: 77D, BIG RAPIDS, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 77D, Big Rapids, runway 32, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,811 total, 681 in this make and model, 1,074 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 50 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 19881019046699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881019046699A), Oct 19, 1988: Piper PA31325, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Stalled turning tight final to align with runway. A wing was bent up in ground impact. Aircraft leveled and landed.

## Other investigations on N300HF (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 ATL91LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA149), Jul 31, 1991: Piper PA-31-325 (N300HF), Spartanburg, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

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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