# NTSB CHI90LA081: Piper PA-28-140, N6704W, Harbor Springs, MI, February 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1990, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Harbor Springs, MI
- Coordinates: 45.42945, -84.980499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4295&lon=-84.9805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA081

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTIAN ADEQUATE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - icy
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT HAD ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING HIS FIRST APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, SO HE PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT, HE MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL APPROACH AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN 'PAST THE NUMBERS.'  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED ON THE RUNWAY, IT 'CAUGHT A WIND GUST' AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ACROSS AN ICY AREA AND IMPACTED A PLOWED RIDGE OF SNOW LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 15.7 HOURS, OF WHICH .5 HOURS WERE SOLO FLIGHT TIME. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR, DRY AND IN GOOD CONDITION, AND SURFACE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 5 TO 7 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6704W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6704W-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 28-20815, built 1965 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20815
- Airframe hours: 3384
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stevens, Harris
- Registered owner: Aerodrome Flying Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1989, 95 hours before
- Departed: D87, HARBOR SPRINGS, MI
- Airport: D87, Harbor Springs, runway 28, 4,157 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900213003259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900213003259A), Feb 13, 1990: Piper PA28140, Harbor Springs, MI, Substantial damage. Student lost control on second solo landing in gusty crosswind. Aircraft veered into snowbank on runway edge.

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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