# NTSB CHI92LA203: Piper PA-32-301, N8056P, Harvard, IL, July 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1992, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Harvard, IL
- Coordinates: 42.419044, -88.610809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4190&lon=-88.6108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA203

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND WIND INFORMATION AS PRESENTED BY THE WINDSOCK, SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR LANDING, AND DELAYING THE ABORTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - fence
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MISINTERPRETED THE WIND DIRECTION WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE WIND SOCK PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AIRPORT.  AFTER A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF AND A SHORT DURATION LOCAL FLIGHT THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED DOWNWIND.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DECELERATE AFTER TOUCHING DOWN HE ATTEMPTED A BALKED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8056P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8206017
- Airframe hours: 2153
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Afb Aero Club
- Registered owner: Patrick Afb Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1992, 73 hours before
- Airport: 0C0, Dacy, runway 33, 2,760 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,050 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 35 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 19920707026299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920707026299A), Jul 7, 1992: Piper PA32301, Harvard, IL, Substantial damage. Tried to land downwind by mistake. Tried a belated go around when realized downwind. Struck fence off end runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.