# NTSB CHI93LA148: Piper PA-28-160, N5548W, Yankton, SD, April 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1993, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Yankton, SD
- Coordinates: 42.880271, -97.389694 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8803&lon=-97.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA148

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE. GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, WHILE PRACTICING EMERGENCY LANDINGS OVER A SOD FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWERLINES, SHEARING OFF PART OF THE RIGHT WING.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET EAST OF THE FRAYED CABLE, AND THEN ROLLED ANOTHER 75 FEET EAST WHERE IT WAS FOUND. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATING NORMALLY THE ENTIRE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5548W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5548W-2005-06-20), registration cancelled 2005-06-20, S/N 28-639, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L-5045-39
- Airframe hours: 3660
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Amrerican Leasing, Inc.
- Registered owner: Amrerican Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: YKN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,833 total, 36 in this make and model, 3,754 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 33° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKN, 5 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 19930424010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930424010539A), Apr 24, 1993: Piper PA28160, Yankton, SD, Destroyed. Struck wires severing a wing during forced landing demo. Descended below wires. Strong wind blew them into wires.

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.