# NTSB CHI91LA236: Piper PA-28-140, N55924, Maple Lake, MN, July 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1991, 10:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: Maple Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.229045, -94.000473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2290&lon=-94.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA236

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST AND FELT HE WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH RUNWAY LEFT TO SAFELY STOP.  HE INITIATED AN ABORTED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IN FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH THEN ROLLED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55924-1994-01-04), registration cancelled 1994-01-04, S/N 287325531 (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: 28-7325531
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cadotte Avaition
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SAZ, STAPLESMN, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Y33, Maple Lake, runway 1, 2,796 × 60 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 36 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: HCD, 30 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 19910731030969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910731030969A), Jul 31, 1991: Piper PA28140, Maple Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Unable stop on runway veered off began go around lost control. Rolled inverted and crashed in bean field.

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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