# NTSB CHI97LA014: Piper PA-28-180, N1178X, Jenison, MI, October 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1996, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Jenison, MI
- Coordinates: 42.900646, -85.82048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9006&lon=-85.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA014

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.  A factor was the crosswind condition.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during the approach to runway 32, he encountered a crosswind.  On initial touchdown, the nose landing gear of the airplane impacted on the runway and the airplane exited the side of the runway.  Winds at an airport 14 miles to the east southeast of the accident, 56 minutes after the accident, were reported to be 180 degrees at 11 knots.

## Factual narrative

On October 25, 1996, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N1178X, sustained substantial damage while landing on runway 32 (3,761' X 46' dry/asphalt) at Jenison, Michigan.  The pilot said that during the flare the airplane descended and hit on the nose landing gear.  The private pilot and his passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on time.  The flight departed Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1315.

The pilot said that he was landing with a 90 degree crosswind, but did not estimate the wind velocity. He said that he understood the wind at Grand Rapids, Michigan, which was 14 miles east-southeast of the accident to be 205 degrees at 7 knots.

The reported winds at Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1456, 56 minutes after the accident were 180 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1178X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1178X), registered now, S/N 28-7505220, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-7505220
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ted F. Platt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Destination: 08C
- Airport: 08C, Jenison/Riverview, runway 32, 2,771 × 46 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total, 49 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KGR, 14 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 19961025033799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961025033799A), Oct 25, 1996: Piper PA28180, Jenison, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft rapidly descended and nose wheel struck the runway first. (-23) just prior to touchdown the aircraft pitched nose down causing the nose wheel to…

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.

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