# NTSB CHI91LA202: Piper PA-28-140, N541FL, Vermillion, SD, June 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1991, 20:30 local (Jun 27, 1991, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Vermillion, SD
- Coordinates: 42.780029, -96.919548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7800&lon=-96.9195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA202

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES AND AN IMPROPER LANDING FLARE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE USE OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL, EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND OVERSHOOTING THE PLANNED LANDING APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - other (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

AFTER A BRIEF LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT TO REENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.  HE REPORTED THAT AS HE NEARED THE AIRPORT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION AND ALTITUDE THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND LANDING ON RUNWAY 30 (HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS AS OUT OF 140 DEGREES AT 10 TO 12 KNOTS).  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND MADE A HARD LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD.   A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN UP REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS INSTRUCTOR HAD ABORTED A FLIGHT EARLIER IN THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE FAILED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  THEY ATTRIBUTED THAT ENGINE FAILURE TO VAPOR LACK.  THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH AUTOMOBILE GAS, AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N541FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N541FL-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 287125373 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125373
- Airframe hours: 2018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth A. Korn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1990, 109 hours before
- Airport: VMR, Harold-Davidson Field, runway 12, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 389 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910626026469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910626026469A), Jun 26, 1991: Piper PA28140, Vermlillion, SD, Substantial damage. Had prior trouble with vapor lock and using auto fuel. Took off after cooling engine. Quit again on returning.

## Other investigations on N541FL (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 MIA72DKG64](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72DKG64), Jan 7, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N541FL), Covington, GA, 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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