# NTSB CHI89LA160: Piper PA-28-140, N1157H, Troy, MI, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Coordinates: 42.559379, -83.180114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5594&lon=-83.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT FLARED TO LAND, THE RAPIDLY SHIFTING AND GUSTING WINDS MOVED FROM A QUARTERING HEADWIND TO A TAILWIND. DESPITE REMEDIAL CORRECTIONS, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND OR GO AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED PAST THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND THEN A TREE. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1157H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1157H-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 287725133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725133
- Airframe hours: 3464
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hot Props Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: 3BB, TROY, MI
- Airport: 7D2, Oakland-Troy, runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 297 total, 168 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 21 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 19890806027319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027319A), Aug 6, 1989: Piper PA28140, Troy, MI, Destroyed. Ran off end runway into fence. Blamed shifting wind.

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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