# NTSB CHI97LA125: Piper PA-28-140, N280TC, Dickinson, ND, May 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 1997, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC) - Place: Dickinson, ND - Coordinates: 46.88039, -102.779693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8804&lon=-102.7797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA125 ## Probable cause the student pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's runway selection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload ## Analysis The student pilot was practicing touch and go landings on runway 25. According to the pilot, he called Unicom for a weather check and was told the winds had changed so he decided to land on runway 32. He reported that during the landing, the winds changed back to 250 degrees. The left wing of the airplane rose and the airplane veered off the side of the runway. The airplane traveled into the grass where the nose gear collapsed and the right win contacted the terrain. Local winds were reported as 240 degrees at 15 knots, 13 minutes after the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 1997, at 0720 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N280TC, experienced a nose gear collapse following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 32 (6,400' x 75') at the Dickinson Municipal Airport, Dickinson, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo training flight was not operating on the flight plan. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated from the Dickinson Municipal Airport, at 0645 cdt. The student pilot reported that prior to the accident, he made 5 touch and go landings on runway 25 with the wind from 250 degrees at 10 knots. He reported he then called the Unicom for a weather check and was informed that the winds had changed so he set up to land on runway 32. The pilot reported that during the landing flare, the wind changed back to 250 degrees and the left wing of the airplane was lifted. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass where the nose gear collapsed and the right wing contacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N280TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N280TC), registered now, S/N 28-21227 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-21227 - Airframe hours: 3202 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-EA 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patrick Giese - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 1997, 89 hours before - Departed: DIK - Airport: DIK, Dickinson Municipal, runway 32, 6,400 × 75 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: 17 total, 2 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °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 19970510009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970510009819A), May 10, 1997: Piper PA28140, Dickinson, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft was practicing touch and go landings when it veered off the runway and nose gear collapsed. (-23) on may 10, 1997, student pilot practicing touch & go… 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.