# NTSB CHI92LA054: Piper PA-28R-201, N80553, Willmar, MN, November 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1991, 12:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Willmar, MN
- Coordinates: 45.120899, -95.040962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1209&lon=-95.0410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA054

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH RESULTED IN FLIGHT INTO ICING CONDITIONS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ICING CONDITIONS AND THE EXCESSIVE DESCENT DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED A CLEARANCE TO VFR ON TOP.  AFTER REACHING 8000 FEET MSL, AND STILL IN THE CLOUDS, HE REQUESTED AN IFR APPROACH TO WILLMAR, MN.  AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD FOR LANDING, HE ADDED FULL FLAPS AND REDUCED POWER.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND SUSTAINED A GEAR COLLAPSE.  THE AIRFRAME HAD ABOUT ONE HALF INCH OF ICE ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS AND EMPENNAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80553-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 28R-8218010, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-80553
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Aniation
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Aniation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FCM, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN
- Airport: ILL, Willamr, runway 1, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 253 total, 85 in this make and model, 98 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 50 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 19911129057189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911129057189A), Nov 29, 1991: Piper PA28RT201, Willmar, MN, Substantial damage. Hard landing collapsed landing gear. Found ice on wings. Freezing drizzle in area. Unable climb on top,had returned.

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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