# NTSB CHI95LA273: Piper PA-28R-201, N43847, Wheeling, IL, August 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1995, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC) - Place: Wheeling, IL - Coordinates: 42.130668, -87.920471 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1307&lon=-87.9205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9990 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9990/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA273 ## Probable cause the pilot's abrupt raising of the flaps during the attempted go-around and the resulting stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - raising of flaps - abrupt, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to land with the flaps in the full down position. The airplane 'shifted (yawed) slightly to the right' and he initiated a go-around. When the pilot raised the flaps abruptly to the full up position, the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. Inspection of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact airframe or engine malfunction. The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the Piper PA-28R-201 does not list specific procedures for executing a go-around. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1995, at 0030 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 28R-201, operated by Hectic Air, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during an attempted go-around in Wheeling, Illinois. The pilot sustained serious injury and the sole passenger reported minor injury. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Delavan, Wisconsin, with a planned destination of Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 16 with the flaps in the full down position. The airplane "shifted (yawed) slightly to the right" and he initiated a go-around. The landing gear and flaps remained down. The airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot reported that he raised the flaps abruptly to the full up position during the go-around. He heard the stall warning horn. The airplane descended and impacted the terrain. The FAA airworthiness inspector who examined the wreckage reported no evidence of preimpact airframe or engine malfunction. The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the Piper PA-28R-201 does not list specific procedures for executing a go-around. During a telephone interview on February 16, 1996, a representative of The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., reported that the "accepted procedure" was to apply maximum power, raise the flaps to the approach configuration, raise the landing gear when a positive rate of climb is established, establish best rate of climb airspeed, then raise the flaps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43847](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43847-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 28R-7737138, built 1977 (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: 28R-773 - Airframe hours: 3127 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Windy City Flyers - Registered owner: Hectic Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1995, 71 hours before - Departed: C59, DELAVAN, WI - Airport: PWK, Palwaukee Municipal, runway 16, 5,137 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ORD, 9 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 19950812023429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812023429A), Aug 12, 1995: Piper PA28R201, Chicago/Wheelin, IL, Substantial damage. Yawed during full flap landing began go around. Dumped flaps and stalled. Improper go around procedure. (-23) on August 12, 1995, at 0030 central daylight… 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.