# NTSB CHI90LA224: Piper PA-28-180, N15803, Sturgis, SD, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1990, 19:35 local (Aug 10, 1990, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Sturgis, SD
- Coordinates: 44.410396, -103.50946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4104&lon=-103.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA224

## Probable cause

POOR PLANNING/DECISION, FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY BY THE PIC. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THUNDERSTORMS, TURBULENCE AND UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Fire, other

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF, WITH APPROACHING THUNDERSTORMS AND RELATED UNSTABLE WX ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, ACFT CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT WAS BLOWN INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND POST ACCIDENT FIRE. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS WARNED OF POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IN ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF AT THAT TIME BY AIRPORT WITNESSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15803](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15803-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 28-7305147, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287305147
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero World
- Destination: HON, HURON, SD
- Airport: 66D, Sturgis, runway 11, 3,650 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 225 total, 14 in this make and model, 193 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900809031789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900809031789A), Aug 9, 1990: Piper PA28180, Sturgis, SD, Substantial damage. Blown off runway trying to depart into turbulence. Strong shifting winds associated with approaching thunderstorm.

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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