# NTSB CHI91LA134: Piper PA-28-161, N143ND, Grand Forks, ND, April 16, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1991, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.910312, -97.069786 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9103&lon=-97.0698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 15045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15045/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA134 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ENTERING THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA, UNDER POSITIVE CONTROL, HE OBSERVED AN AIRCRAFT TO HIS LEFT. HE MADE AN EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT HIS AIRCRAFT PASSED UNDER THE OTHER AIRCRAFT. HIS PROPELLER STRUCK THE STABILATOR. HE ENTERED THE PATTERN, EXECUTED A TOUCH AND GO, THEN LANDED. THE ONLY VISABLE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE PROPELLER TIPS. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) WHILE ENTERING THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA, UNDER POSITIVE CONTROL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS STRUCK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STABILIZER BY THE PROPELLER OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT ALSO ENTERING THE PATTERN. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE PATTERN, EXECUTE A TOUCH AND GO THEN LAND TO A FULL STOP. THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DAMAGE AND THE NEXT USER OF THE AIRCRAFT FOUND THE DAMAGE ON THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. THE CONVERGING AIRCRAFT'S PROPELLER HAD MADE TWO SLASHED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR AND TRIM TAB. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N143ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143ND-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 2841135, built 1989 (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: 2841135 - Airframe hours: 1669 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: University Of North Dakota - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 13, 1991, 6 hours before ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N114ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114ND-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 2841330, built 1990 (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: 2841330 - Airframe hours: 337 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 16, 1991, 5 hours before - Departed: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N143ND; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 88 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N114ND; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK, 3 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19910416011342A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910416011342A), Apr 16, 1991: Piper PA28161, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Horizontal stabilator was cut on under side by prop of N114ND. Both entering pattern. Did not see traffic. - [Accident 19910416011341A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910416011341A), Apr 16, 1991: Piper PA28161, Grand Forks, ND, Minor damage. Saw N143ND on converging course entering pattern. Tried to avoid but pilot slashed his stabilator. 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.