# NTSB CHI89LA050: Piper PA-28R-201, N16TP, Stevens Point, WI, February 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1989, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Stevens Point, WI
- Coordinates: 44.539802, -89.560668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5398&lon=-89.5607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA050

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'JUST AS THE MAIN GEAR TOUCHED (THE RUNWAY) THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TO THE LEFT AS IF THE LEFT BRAKE HAD LOCKED OR HAD BEEN PUSHED BY A STRONG LEFT CROSSWIND . . .'   SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE GEAR, THEN THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY. WINDS AT THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WERE REPORTED TO BE ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 8 KNOTS. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A PRE-ACCIDENT MALFUNCTION. AN INSPECTION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUSS ASSEMBLY INDICATED IT HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD. NO PROGRESSIVE FAILURE WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16TP-1990-03-23), registration cancelled 1990-03-23, S/N 28R7837217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837217
- Airframe hours: 1165
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Plodzien, Thomas J.
- Registered owner: Plodzien, Thomas J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1988, 76 hours before
- Departed: STE
- Destination: STE
- Airport: STE, Stevens Point, runway 21, 6,028 × 120 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,045 total, 945 in this make and model, 985 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 23 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 19890212003769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890212003769A), Feb 12, 1989: Piper PA28R201, Stevens Point, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot reported gear collapsed on normal landing. Damage to right main indicates fresh impact overload on landing.

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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