# NTSB CHI92LA086: Piper PA-28-140, N56750, Sandstone, MN, February 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1992, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandstone, MN
- Coordinates: 46.119441, -92.859298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1194&lon=-92.8593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA086

## Probable cause

THE COLLISION WITH THE DEER, THE DAMAGE TO THE GASCOLATOR WHICH RESULTED FROM THE COLLISION AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ABORT THE LANDING AFTER THE COLLISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - fractured (cause)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, A DEER RAN TOWARD AND COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND ABORTED THE LANDING. A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES FOLLOWED BY THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE IMPACT WITH THE DEER DAMAGED THE GASCOLATOR TO THE EXTENT THAT IT COMPROMISED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL STARVATION RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56750](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56750), registered now, S/N 28-7425030, built 1973 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287425030
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Guptill,James D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Destination: 54Y, RUSH HILL, MN
- Airport: 57Y, Sandstone, runway 17, 2,900 × 60 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 373 total, 373 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: DLH, 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 19920202001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920202001599A), Feb 2, 1992: Piper PA28140, Sandstone, MN, Substantial damage. On aborted landing deer struck airplane. Gascolator damaged. Engine quit on climb. Fuel starvation. Crashed.

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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