# NTSB CHI90LA275: Piper PA-28-181, N21489, Amana, IA, September 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1990, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Amana, IA
- Coordinates: 41.799957, -91.859954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8000&lon=-91.8600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA275

## Probable cause

PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT ATTAINED AND GO-AROUND DELAYED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE ATC COMMUNICATIONS INADEQUATE AND WET, GRASS RUNWAY WITH A TAILWIND ENVIRONMENT PLUS A FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN LONG ON THE 2750 FT, WET GRASS RUNWAY.  AFTER APPLYING BRAKES, HE BELIEVED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RWY, SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND.  THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE, BUT IT CONTINUED FLYING. THE PLT RETURNED FOR AN UNEVENTFUL LDG.  BOTH WING FUEL TANKS HAD BEEN RUPTURED AND THE EMPENNAGE WAS DAMAGED BY COLLISION WITH THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21489](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21489), registered now, S/N 28-7990050, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 287990050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Key City Flyers, Inc.
- Departed: DBQ, DUBUQUE, IA
- Airport: C11, Amana, runway 26, 2,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 700 total, 23 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CID, 15 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 19900927042519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900927042519A), Sep 27, 1990: Piper PA28181, Amana, IA, Substantial damage. Landed long,downwind,on wet grass runway. Unable stop. Hit fence on go around. Pilot said ATC did not give wind info.

## Other investigations on N21489 (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 MKC84LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA270), Sep 6, 1984: Piper PA-28-181 (N21489), Grain Valley, MO, 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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