# NTSB CHI97LA136: Piper PA-28-140, N625EE, Flushing, MI, May 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1997, 22:25 local (May 18, 1997, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Flushing, MI - Coordinates: 43.059104, -83.840362 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0591&lon=-83.8404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10568/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA136 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed on final approach, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing). Factors related to the accident were: darkness, and the proximity of trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - light condition - night (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot kept the airplane's altitude high on final approach at night due to trees at the end of the runway. When the airplane touched down, he could see that it was approaching the departure end of the runway. At that point, the pilot initiated an aborted landing; however, the airplane impacted trees off the departure end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1997, at 2225 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N625EE, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing, at Dalton Airport, near Flushing, Michigan, when it impacted trees and the terrain. The pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in night visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Flint, Michigan about 2200. The pilot stated that when he approached the airport for landing he intentionally kept the airplane high on final approach because he was aware of trees on the approach end. He said that when the airplane touched down he could see the departure end of the runway coming up fast and realized that he would not be able to stop on the pavement. He said he aborted the landing and initiated a climb; however, the airplane impacted a tree off the departure end of the runway. An eye witness gave a similar account of the accident as the pilot's statement. He said that he was not a pilot, but that on the approach he knew the airplane was high. He said on landing he could hear the sound of the tires sliding on the pavement. He said that he then heard the engine power increase and watched as the airplane began to climb and strike a tree. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N625EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N625EE-2003-02-13), registration cancelled 2003-02-13, S/N 28-23294, built 1967 (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: 28-23294 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles D. Hunt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 9G2, FLINT, MI - Destination: 3DA - Airport: 3DA, Dalton, runway 36, 2,510 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 79 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KFN, 6 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 19970517010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970517010979A), May 17, 1997: Piper PA28140, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft attempted a go around when it lost power and struck a tree. (.4)the pilot kept the airplane's altitude high on final approach at night due to trees at… 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.