# NTSB CHI93LA033: Piper PA-28-180, N7057W, Makoti, ND, November 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1992, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Makoti, ND
- Coordinates: 47.959812, -101.799789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9598&lon=-101.7998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER GLIDEPATH DURING HIS APPROACH TO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS APPROACHING THE SNOW COVERED SOD RUNWAY AT A SLOW SPEED.  HE SAID HE PITCHED THE AIRPLANE DOWNWARD AFTER CROSSING WIRES WHICH WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY'S THRESHOLD.  HE STATED HE '...DROPPED THE NOSE TO GET IN.'  SHORTLY AFTER THIS ACTION THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND BOUNCED INTO THE AIR. THE PILOT STATED HE ADDED POWER AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED ONTO THE RUNWAY SURFACE AND SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7057W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7057W), registered now, S/N 28-829, built 1962 (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: 28-829
- Airframe hours: 2025
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A-3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul M. Sonnenberg
- Registered owner: Paul M. Sonnenberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1992, 28 hours before
- Departed: ND43, MINOT, ND
- Airport: RLA, Makoti Airport, runway 13, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 233 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 29 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 19921115046759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921115046759A), Nov 15, 1992: Piper PA28180, Makoti, ND, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final clearing wires caused hard landing short of runway. Bent both wing spars. Broke gear axles.

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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