# NTSB CHI89LA096: Piper PA28R-180, N4980J, Frankfort, IL, May 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, IL
- Coordinates: 41.490226, -87.829132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4902&lon=-87.8291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA096

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN CROSS/TAILWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command
  - weather condition - gusts
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, climb
  - object - airport facility (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND, THE WIND SHIFTED TO A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND AND STARTED TO GUST. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, TOWARDS SOME PARKED AIRPLANES AND HANGARS, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB OUT AND CLEAR THE HANGARS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A HANGAR, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4980J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4980J-1992-04-27), registration cancelled 1992-04-27, S/N 28R30733 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30733
- Airframe hours: 4150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pickett, Ronald E.
- Registered owner: Pickett, Ronald E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 8, 1989, 55 hours before
- Departed: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO
- Destination: C18, FRANKFORT, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: C18, Frankfort, runway 9, 3,176 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 259 total, 57 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 30 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 19890529013329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529013329A), May 29, 1989: Piper PA28R180, Frankfort, IL, Substantial damage. Wind shifted on short final for landing. Began a go around, drifted off runway. Struck a hangar and cartwheeled.

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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