# NTSB CHI95LA150: Piper PA-28-160, N5528W, East Gull Lake, MN, May 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1995, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: East Gull Lake, MN - Coordinates: 46.35083, -94.190177 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3508&lon=-94.1902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9886 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9886/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA150 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors in the accident were the crosswind and gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF WITH A DIRECT LEFT CROSSWIND, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SEVERAL TREES WHICH LINED THE AIRPORT'S PERIMETER. AFTER IMPACT WITH THE TREES, THE AIRPLANE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. A SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION WAS TAKEN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE OBSERVATION REPORTED THE WIND FROM 270 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 122.1 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, 18.6 HOURS OF WHICH WERE TRAINING IN TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1995, at 1455 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 160, N5528W, was destroyed when it impacted trees after taking off from East Gull Lake Airport, East Gull Lake, Minnesota. The private pilot reported no injuries and two passengers reported serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight originated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he completed all preflight procedures at East Gull Lake Airport and then radioed his intention to takeoff on runway 31 (2618' x 75'). The pilot recalled beginning the initial takeoff roll, but did not recall any of the events which occurred after this point. One witness, a flight instructor, reported she first observed the airplane accelerating down the runway on its initial takeoff roll. The witness stated she was both amazed and shocked that the airplane was even attempting to takeoff because there was a direct left crosswind of approximately 10 to 20 knots. The witness stated the airport's windsock was fully extended at the time due to the wind conditions. The airplane lifted off at the end of the runway in ground effect. The witness stated that it appeared that the pilot was really fighting to keep the airplane level as it was blown to the right of the runway. She stated that she could tell the airplane was not going to clear the line of trees which were located along the perimeter of the airport. The airplane contacted the tops of the trees, banked sharply to the right, and then disappeared behind the trees. A surface weather observation from Brainard-Crow Wing County Regional Airport, which is located 15 miles northeast of East Gull Lake Airport, was taken two minutes after the time of the accident. The observation reported clear skies, twenty miles visibility, and winds 270 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot, in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2, reported the winds to be at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. A postaccident examination was performed on the engine. The engine was successfully started and run. No mechanical anomalies were found. The pilot received his Private Pilot Certificate on August 31, 1994. Review of his logbook showed he has accrued a total of 122.1 hours of flight time with 18.6 hours of training in takeoff and landings in crosswind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5528W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5528W-1995-11-14), registration cancelled 1995-11-14, S/N 28619 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-619 - Airframe hours: 2530 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leonard L. Logsdon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1994, 53 hours before - Departed: 9Y2 - Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Airport: 9Y2, East Gull Lake, runway 31, 2,618 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 121 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BRD, 16 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 19950514011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950514011639A), May 14, 1995: Piper PA28160, East Gull Lake, MN, Destroyed. Tried takeoff in excessive crosswind. Drifted into trees downwind of runway. Neag gross. Type is under powered. (-23) aircraft impact jack pines, just after… 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.