# NTSB CHI89LA137: Piper PA-28-180, N8005W, Chippewa Falls, WI, July 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1989, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Chippewa Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.93077, -91.390762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9308&lon=-91.3908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. DURING THE ENSUING ABORTED LANDING, THE PILOT FAILED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE AND THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE WIND SOCK POLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPT TO LAND WITH A 15-20 KNOT RIGHT CROSSWIND, THE PILOT 'PUSHED LEFT RUDDER JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN' BUT STATED THAT HE MUST HAVE PUSHED TOO HARD, BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN 'AT A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE LEFT.' THE PILOT ABORTED THE LANDING WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO ANGLE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET AGL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A WIND SOCK POLE AND SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8005W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8005W-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N 282066 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2066
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, Donald J.
- Registered owner: The 180 Club" C/O James Dierke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1988, 57 hours before
- Departed: AHH, AMERY, WI
- Destination: 3WI9, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI
- Airport: 3W19, Chippewa Falls, runway 18, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 100 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 9 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 19890717025549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890717025549A), Jul 17, 1989: Piper PA28180, Chippewa Falls, WI, Substantial damage. Landed in a crab in crosswind. Swerved, began go around, drifted. A wing was severed on impact with windsock pole.

## Other investigations on N8005W (2)

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 CHI78DER02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DER02), Jan 9, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N8005W), Amery, WI, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI65D0163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65D0163), Mar 21, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N8005W), Wheeling, IL, substantial damage

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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