# NTSB CHI91LA192: Piper PA-28-181, N5055F, Marquette, MI, June 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1991, 23:30 local (Jun 16, 1991, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Marquette, MI
- Coordinates: 46.550796, -87.39051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5508&lon=-87.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA192

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS-BACKCOURSE APPROACH TO RUNWAY 26.  WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH THE AIRPORT FROM THE SOUTHEAST HEADING NORTHWEST. THEY SAW AIRCRAFT PASS OVER THE AIRPORT ON A NORTHEAST HEADING THEN TURN NORTH AND DESCEND INTO THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE ACCIDENT. NOTHING WAS FOUND OF A MECHANICAL NATURE WHICH WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5055F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5055F-1991-12-16), registration cancelled 1991-12-16, S/N 287790084 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790084
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eric E. Nyman
- Registered owner: Eric E. Nyman
- Departed: ESC, ESCANABA, MI
- Airport: MQT, Marquette County, runway 26, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 306 total, 255 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MQT, 1 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 19910615022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910615022049A), Jun 15, 1991: Piper PA28181, Marquette, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control and crashed during back course ILS approach.

## Other investigations on N5055F (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 NYC80FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FA088), Sep 14, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N5055F), Montgomeryvill, PA, 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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