# NTSB CHI90LA094: Piper PA-28R-200, N55030, Wonder Lake, IL, March 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1990, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wonder Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.380058, -88.359939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3801&lon=-88.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAIIURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TREES & SNOWBANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND ON RWY 27, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND.  IT THEN LOST ALT, CONTACTED TREES SHORT OF THE RWY & YAWED TO THE LEFT.  THE PLT REALIGNED THE ACFT WITH THE RWY, BUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, IT VEERED LEFT & HIT A SNOWBANK. A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR & LEFT WING WERE DAMAGED DURING THE OCCURRENCE. ABOUT 20 MI SOUTH AT DUPAGE, IL, THE 1550 CST WIND WAS FROM 330 DEG AT 11 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55030](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55030), registered now, S/N 28R-7335171, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335171
- Airframe hours: 2763
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eggert, Ray
- Registered owner: Eggert, Ray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1989, 17 hours before
- Departed: 57C, EAST TROY, WI
- Destination: 10C
- Airport: 10C, Galt, runway 27, 3,100 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 645 total, 500 in this make and model, 401 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 20 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 19900303003449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900303003449A), Mar 3, 1990: Piper PA28R200, Greenwood/Wonde, IL, Substantial damage. Left main gear struck a tree on final. Damaged gear caused aircraft to veer off runway into snowbank on landing.

## Other investigations on N55030 (2)

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 ANC77DA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DA099), Sep 14, 1977: Piper PA-28R (N55030), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC74FAA33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74FAA33), May 14, 1974: Piper PA-28R (N55030), Fairbanks, AK, 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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