# NTSB CHI92FA183: Piper PA-28-180D, N429HD, Troy, MI, June 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1992, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Coordinates: 42.559993, -83.180519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5600&lon=-83.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, other

## Analysis

PILOT WAS ON CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO DESTINATION WITH RUNWAY 09/27 ONLY. WINDS WERE FROM 180 AT 22 KNOTS GUSTING TO 32.  FIRST APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27 WAS DESCRIBED BY WITNESSES AS SLOW AND UNSTABLE, AND TERMINATED IN A GO-AROUND. SECOND APPROACH WAS TO RUNWAY 09, AND WAS ALSO DESCRIBED AS SLOW AND UNSTABLE.  PILOT WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AGL WHEN HE INITIATED ANOTHER GO-AROUND AND BEGAN A TURN TO THE NORTH.  WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ANGLE OF BANK KEPT INCREASING DURING TURN UNTIL AIRPLANE WAS ALMOST INVERTED, AND POINTED AT THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN INDUSTRIAL AREA ADJACENT TO AIRPORT.  INVESTIGATION DETERMINED FULL FLAPS WERE SELECTED.  OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE AIRPLANE RECOMMENDS PARTIAL OR NO FLAPS FOR STRONG CROSSWIND LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N429HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N429HD-1992-12-01), registration cancelled 1992-12-01, S/N 285411 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180D
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5411
- Airframe hours: 4683
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Mason
- Registered owner: Richard E. Mason
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: 8G2, CORRY, PA
- Airport: 7D2, Oakland-Troy, runway 9, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,157 total, 695 in this make and model, 717 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 22 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 12 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 19920617020829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920617020829A), Jun 17, 1992: Piper PA28180, Troy, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on second try to land in severe crosswind. Factors too slow and full flaps. No flaps per PA28 manual.

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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