# NTSB CHI94LA173: Piper PA-28R-201, N804ND, Grand Forks, ND, May 24, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1994, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.919231, -97.070053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9192&lon=-97.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA173 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's not maintaining directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 35R WITH THE WIND REPORTED AS 340 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS WHEN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY STRIKING A SIGN AND TERRAIN. NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE FOUND ON EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1994, at 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R- 201, registered to the University of North Dakota, and operated by a student pilot, lost directional control on landing on runway 35R (3,900' X 75' dry/concrete) at the Grand Forks International Airport, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a runway sign and the terrain. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The solo instructional flight had filed a VFR flight plan. The last point of departure was Jamestown, North Dakota, at 1056. The pilot stated that he had difficulty making the airplane turn to the right, while he felt it required "heavy" control to turn left. A policeman who observed the track of the airplane indicated that there were skid marks from the right landing gear going off the runway. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical problems with either brake. The landing was performed on runway 35R. The winds at the approximate time of the accident were reported as 340 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N804ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N804ND-2023-11-27), registration cancelled 2023-11-27, S/N 2837004, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2837004 - Airframe hours: 3787 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 5, 1994, 48 hours before - Departed: JMS, JAMESTOWN, ND - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks, runway 35R, 3,900 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 19940524012339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940524012339A), May 24, 1994: Piper PA28R201, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on landing. Exited runway. Struck a sign. No anomalies noted. ## Other investigations on N804ND (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI91LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA156), May 14, 1991: Piper PA-28R-201 (N804ND), Grand Forks, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE. 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.