# NTSB CHI91LA165: Piper PA-30, N7209Y, Big Rapids, MI, May 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1991, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 43.69952, -85.479263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6995&lon=-85.4793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA165

## Probable cause

EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE STUDENT PILOT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - terrain condition - runway
  - flight controls - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE RATED PILOT WAS ON A DUAL MULTIENGINE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. ON A PRACTICE SOFT-FIELD TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROTATED.  THE STUDENT CORRECTED WITH APPLICATION OF RIGHT RUDDER AND AILERON.  THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7209Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7209Y), registered now, S/N 30-235, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-235
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mecosta Cty Pilots Assn.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 77D, Roben-Hood, runway 27, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,092 total, 142 in this make and model, 1,853 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 50 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 19910523019759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910523019759A), May 23, 1991: Piper PA30, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control on early liftoff soft field demo. CFI corrected but right wing tip tank hit the runway.

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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