# NTSB CHI92LA007: Piper PA-46-310P, N1FY, Sioux Center, IA, October 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1991, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Sioux Center, IA
- Coordinates: 41.970104, -95.459213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9701&lon=-95.4592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND NOT PERFORMING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. WINDSHEAR WAS A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - pole
  - object - other
  - object - tree(s)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE SINGLE ENGINE CORPORATE AIRPLANE COMMENCED ITS PRE-DAWN TAKEOFF ROLL WITH A LEFT FRONT, QUARTERING, CROSSWIND OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF EARLIER THAN THEY'VE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND, DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND STRUCK A WIND SOCK POLE AND A WIND TEE. THE AIRPLANE WAS REESTABLISHED ON THE RUNWAY AND RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END. AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE WITH ITS LEFT WING, SEPARATING IT FROM THE FUSELAGE AT THE WING ROOT. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH A ROAD EMBANKMENT WENT OVER IT, AND CAME TO REST IN A PLOWED FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1FY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8408008
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Interstate Elect. & Eng. Co.
- Registered owner: Interstate Elect. & Eng. Co.
- Destination: CPS, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Airport: SOY, Sioux Center Muni., runway 35, 3,002 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SUX, 44 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 19911014046519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911014046519A), Oct 14, 1991: Piper PA46310P, Sioux Center, IA, Substantial damage. Lifted off early in gusty crosswind,settled off runway,hit wind tee. Continued run leaking fuel. Failed to abort.

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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