# NTSB CHI90FA185: Piper PA-28-140, N6146W, Grand Marais, MN, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 07:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: Grand Marais, MN
- Coordinates: 47.750034, -90.339202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7500&lon=-90.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA185

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO HIS IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  PILOT FATIGUE DUE TO LACK OF SLEEP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

CAMPING COMPANIONS OBSERVED THE PLT & 2 PASSENGERS AWAKE & DRINKING BEER BETWEEN 0200 & 0300 CDT. ANOTHER PLT RPRTD THEY WERE AT THE AIRPORT, PREPARING FOR A FLT AT ABOUT 0630 CDT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ON HILLY TERRAIN. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT 1930 CDT ON 7/15/90 BY A HELICOPTER SEARCH CREW. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT HAD ENTERED THE TREES WHILE DSCNDG IN A NEAR 90 DEG BANK. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS, BUT THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT. ALSO, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS VERIFIED. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD, VITREOUS FLUID & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.068%, 0.1% & 0.13% (68, 100 & 130 MG/DL), RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6146W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6146W-1991-06-06), registration cancelled 1991-06-06, S/N 2820165 (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: 2820165
- Airframe hours: 1994
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarence A. Mcalpine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1989, 92 hours before
- Departed: 58Y, SILVER BAY, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 220 total, 29 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YQT, 60 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 19900714025639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714025639A), Jul 14, 1990: Piper PA28140, Grand Marais, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Pilot allowed his aircraft to descend into trees at high speed impact. Test showed alcohol in all three occupants.

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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