# NTSB CHI95LA046: Piper PA-44-180, N2127D, Dickinson, ND, November 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1994, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Dickinson, ND - Coordinates: 46.880039, -102.780281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8800&lon=-102.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA046 ## Probable cause THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) MISJUDGED THE FLARE, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER (ICING) CONDITION, STRUCTURAL ICE, WINDSHIELD ICE, DARKNESS, AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOT TO LAND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - window,cabin - ice (contributing factor) - flight to destination alternate - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING A FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ACCUMULATE ICE ON THE STRUCTURE AND ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSTRUCTOR REQUESTED AN ALTITUDE CHANGE AND DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT. THE WINDSHIELD BECAME COVERED WITH ICE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INSTRUCTOR LANDING THE AIRPLANE BY USING THE INSTRUMENTS AND BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. A HARD LANDING OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1994, about 1650 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N2127D, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Dickinson Municipal Airport, Dickinson, North Dakota. The flight instructor, student pilot, and two passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. The instructional flight originated at the Cutbank Municipal Airport, Cutbank, Montana, at 1330, with an intended destination of Bismark, North Dakota. An IFR flight plan was filed, and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight instructor reported the flight encountered freezing rain, and began to accrue ice on the windshield and structure of the airplane. The instructor requested an altitude change. He stated the ice accumulation lessened but they were still picking up some ice. The instructor requested the weather conditions at both Bismark and Dickinson. He made the decision to divert the flight to Dickinson for landing. The instructor stated he flew the VOR-A approach to the airport then entered a downwind for landing on runway 07. He stated the windshield had accumulated ice so he landed the airplane using the instruments and by looking out the side window. The instructor stated the airplane touched down hard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2127D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2127D), registered now, S/N 447995131, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 44-7995131 - Airframe hours: 4723 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northstar Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 1994, 30 hours before - Departed: CTB, CUTBANK, MT - Destination: BIS, BISMARK, ND - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DIK, Dickinson Municipal, runway 7, 3,405 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 677 total, 84 in this make and model, 553 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DIK ## 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 19941126039309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941126039309A), Nov 26, 1994: Piper PA44180, Dickinson, ND, Substantial damage. Iced up on night dual. CFI diverted to alternate. Ice on windshield. Looked out side window. Made hard landing. 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.