# NTSB CHI90LA092: Piper PA-28-140, N3967K, Brainerd, MN, March 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1990, 19:50 local (Mar 3, 1990, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Brainerd, MN
- Coordinates: 46.350856, -94.189086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3509&lon=-94.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA092

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR (VASI) DURING A NIGHT LANDING ATTEMPT TO AN UNLIGHTED RUNWAY AT THE COMPLETION OF A PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT STATED ON HIS ACCIDENT REPORT FORM THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS TWICE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DURING HIS FINAL APPROACH TO THE LANDING RUNWAY HE STATES THAT WIND WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS 'SEVERE WIND SHEAR' DISPLACED HIM TO THE POINT THAT HE HAD TO LAND ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE VASI SUPPORT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS CONDUCTED BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THIS TEST SHOWED THE LIGHTS TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3967K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3967K), registered now, S/N 28-23851 (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: 28-23851
- Engines: LYCOMING O320-A24 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Simmons
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: Y19, MANDAN, ND
- Airport: BRD, Brainerd, runway 30, 4,082 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 60 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD

## 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 19900302003129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900302003129A), Mar 2, 1990: Piper PA28140, Brainerd, MN, Substantial damage. Chose unlighted runway due to gusty crosswind on lighted runway. Drifted and landed off runway hit approach lights.

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.