# NTSB CHI90LA085: Piper PA-28-161, N8394D, Pontiac, MI, February 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1990, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769786, -82.530586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7698&lon=-82.5306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA085

## Probable cause

OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR ATTACH BOLTS FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) AND DUAL INSTRUMENT STUDENT WERE TAXIING FROM THE RAMP TO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY WHEN THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR BOLTS ON THE LEFT GEAR HAD FAILED. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THEY WERE TAXIING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A SMOOTH, PAVED SURFACE, AND MOVING AT A NORMAL TAXI RATE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FAILURES APPEARED TO BE DUE TO OVERLOAD; THERE WAS NO REPORT OF A PREVIOUS HARD LANDING IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8394D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8394D), registered now, S/N 28-8116238, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116238
- Airframe hours: 3215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tradewinds Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Michael D. Keith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1990, 50 hours before
- Departed: PTK
- Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PTK, Oakland Pontiac

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,205 total, 76 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19900218003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218003269A), Feb 18, 1990: Piper PA28161, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear collapsed on taxi for takeoff. Attach bolts sheared.

## Other investigations on N8394D (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 ERA26LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA262), Jun 29, 2026: Piper PA-28-161 (N8394D), Easton, MD, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.