# NTSB CHI95LA213: Piper PA-28-140, N632FL, Culver, IN, July 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1995, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Culver, IN - Coordinates: 41.209053, -86.420173 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2091&lon=-86.4202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA213 ## Probable cause THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHILE PERFORMING A GO-AROUND. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PROXIMITY OF TREES BESIDE THE RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THIS WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. THE STUDENT REPORTED HIS APPROACH TO LANDING WAS NORMAL, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS A LITTLE HIGH. REALIZING THERE WAS AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF RUNWAY REMAINING TO MAKE A NORMAL LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT DECIDED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. A WITNESS STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS IN AN EXCESSIVELY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AS THE STUDENT ADDED FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO CLIMB AND DRIFT TO THE LEFT AS THE STUDENT CORRECTED THE AIRPLANE'S ATTITUDE. AS THE GO-AROUND WAS CONTINUED, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AND WING CONTACTED A TREE BESIDE THE RUNWAY, AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1995, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N632FL, operated by Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees while preforming a go around at Fleet Field Airport, Culver, Indiana. The solo student pilot was not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. This flight was the student pilot's first solo flight. The student reported his approach to landing was normal but the airplane was a little high. Realizing there was an insufficient amount of runway remaining to make a normal landing, the student pilot decided to perform a go around. The student's instructor, who was witnessing the event, stated the airplane was in an excessively nose high attitude as the student pilot added full power. The airplane began to climb and drift to the left as the student corrected the airplane's attitude. As the airplane continued to climb, the left main landing gear tire and wing contacted a tree and the airplane impacted the ground. Prior to this flight, the student pilot had completed a training flight with the Culver Military Academy's Director of Aviation in preparation for his solo flight. During this flight the student was asked to demonstrate a go around. The Director stated that the student performed the go around maneuver "flawlessly." Upon completion of this flight, the student pilot was authorized for solo flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N632FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N632FL-1996-04-04), registration cancelled 1996-04-04, S/N 287125528 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125528 - Airframe hours: 7799 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Culver Military Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1995, 40 hours before - Departed: IN73 - Airport: IN73, Fleet Field, runway 34, 2,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950707017239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950707017239A), Jul 7, 1995: Piper PA28140, Culver, IN, Substantial damage. First solo landing, lost control on go around. Drifted left. Struck trees. First solo should be full stop. (-23) student pilot lost control of aircraft on… 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.