# NTSB CHI89LA099: Piper PA-28-180, N4734L, Crandon, WI, May 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1989, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Crandon, WI
- Coordinates: 45.560642, -88.889411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5606&lon=-88.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA099

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL & SUBSEQUENT WINGTIP COLLISION WITH THE GROUND DURING THE LANDING. THE CROSSWIND AND TURBULENCE WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS LANDING, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND THAT WAS SWIRLING BELOW TREETOP LEVEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING TIP & DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. APRX 23 MI NORTHWEST AT RHINELANDER, WI, THE 1450 CDT WIND WAS FROM 230 DEG AT 10 KTS. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WIND AT CRANDON WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 20 GUSTING 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4734L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4734L), registered now, S/N 28-4060, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4060
- Airframe hours: 1960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clendenning, Gary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: UES, WAUKESHA, WI
- Destination: YSS
- Airport: YSS, Crandon Muni, runway 11, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 10 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHI, 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 19890528020579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890528020579A), May 28, 1989: Piper PA28180, Crandon, WI, Substantial damage. Lost control on trying to flare for a crosswind landing and dragged a wing tip. Reported swirling winds.

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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