# NTSB CHI92LA026: Piper PA-24-260, N9161P, Charles City, IA, November 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1991, 19:00 local (Nov 12, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Charles City, IA
- Coordinates: 43.059589, -92.67015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0596&lon=-92.6702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA026

## Probable cause

PROPER GLIDE PATH NOT MAINTAINED.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PREMATURE LANDING GEAR EXTENSION AND INADEQUATE AIRSPEED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - night
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING HIS IFR FLIGHT THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OF RIME ICE ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS AND HAD LOST ABOUT 15 KNOTS AIRSPEED.  HE ESTABLISHED THE ACFT ON THE LOCALIZER FOR THE APPROACH AND WHEN HE WAS 1.9 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT AND 500 FEET AGL HE REDUCED HIS AIRSPEED TO 100 KNOTS AND LOWERED THE GEAR.  THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES THEN THE TERRAIN ABOUT 800 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9161P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9161P), registered now, S/N 24-4649, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4649
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Culbert Aeronautics
- Departed: OTG, WORTHINGTON, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CCY, Charles City, runway 12, 4,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,190 total, 107 in this make and model, 875 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 40 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 19911111050899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911111050899A), Nov 11, 1991: Piper PA24260, Charles City, IA, Substantial damage. Accumulated 2 inches of ice en route settled into trees onapproach just short of runway. No wing deice equipment.

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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