# NTSB CHI93FA075: Piper PA-28-180, N444TD, Wichita, KS, January 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1993, 16:54 local (22:54 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Coordinates: 37.769218, -97.360618 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7692&lon=-97.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA075

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - excessive, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE PERFORMED A GO AROUND MANEUVER JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.  SHORTLY AFTER INITIATING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE PERFORMED WHAT WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS, ABRUPT, STEEP TURNS TO THE CROSSWIND AND DOWNWIND LEGS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.  WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND ON THE DOWNWIND LEG WHEN IT 'WOBBLED' DURING AN ABRUPT LEFT TURN TO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN'S BASE LEG. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OVER AND PERFORMED A ONE TURN SPIN BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444TD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444TD-2011-05-12), registration cancelled 2011-05-12, S/N 28-4549, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4549
- Airframe hours: 1204
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Midwest Executive Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Midwest Executive Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1993, 34 hours before
- Departed: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3KM, Col. James Jabara, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,089 total, 11 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 3KM, 1 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 19930125000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930125000879A), Jan 25, 1993: Piper PA28180, Wichita, KS, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Abrupt steep turns at low altitude after a go around proceeded a stall spin crash.

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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