# NTSB CHI90FA003: Piper PA-28-180, N9704J, Ann Arbor, MI, October 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1989, 12:01 local (16:01 UTC)
- Place: Ann Arbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.220783, -83.730346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2208&lon=-83.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA003

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON A TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE, WHEN IT SUDDENLY DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND & CRASHED.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.  AN EXAM OF THE STALL WARNING LIGHT BULB REVEALED THE FILAMENT HAD STRETCHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9704J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9704J-1991-05-09), registration cancelled 1991-05-09, S/N 283894 (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: 28-3894
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David B. Estep
- Departed: 3HA, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: ARB
- Airport: ARB, Ann Arbor, runway 24, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 72 total, 7 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB

## 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 19891007039199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891007039199A), Oct 7, 1989: Piper PA28180, Ann Arbor, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control during right turn from downwind to base. Collided with terrain.

## Other investigations on N9704J (1)

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 IAD76DKM33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76DKM33), May 27, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N9704J), Salisbury, NC, 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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