# NTSB CHI89LA068: Piper PA-22-150, N2944P, Chicago, IL, April 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1989, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.900943, -87.609207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9009&lon=-87.6092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION WHICH EXISTED DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY, CROSSWIND WHICH EXISTED AND THE FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE CROSSWIND PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 18 AFTER HE HAD BEEN INFORMED OF WINDS FROM 260 DEGREES AT 19 KTS, GUSTING TO 30 KTS. JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT, DRIVING THE LEFT WING TO THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THE OWNERS HANDBOOK, IN THE SECTION ON CROSSWINDS, PROVIDES NO GUIDANCE ON A CROSSWIND LIMIT. EVEN WITHOUT GUSTS, THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT COMPUTES TO NEARLY 19 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2944P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2944P-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 22-3213, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3213
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-TC 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vaughan Weeks
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: RAC, RACINE, WI
- Airport: C6X, Meigs, runway 18, 3,948 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 276 total, 227 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 19 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGX

## 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 19890404005729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890404005729A), Apr 4, 1989: Piper PA22150, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Crosswind on landing caused a wing and aircrafts nose to strike the 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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