# NTSB CHI97LA203: Piper PA-17, N4594H, Cadillac, MI, July 7, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1997, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Cadillac, MI
- Coordinates: 44.239368, -85.409416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2394&lon=-85.4094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA203

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around and the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported that when he attempted to land on runway 36, he 'had to much speed,' and ran out of runway.  He attempted a go-around but turned to steep, causing the wingtip to hit the ground  The pilot reported the 'wind got on top wing pushing down wing tip hit causing a ground loop.' The pilot reported that he had flown .3 hours within the last 90 days.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 1997, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-17, N4594H, sustained substantial damage when the pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing.  The private pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from a private airstrip, and was attempting to land on the grass runway 36 at Cadillac Airport, Cadillac, Michigan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that when he attempted to land on runway 36, he "had to much speed," and ran out of runway.  He attempted a go-around but turned to steep, causing the wingtip to hit the ground.  The pilot reported the "wind got on top wing pushing down wing tip hit causing a ground loop."

The pilot reported that he had flown .3 hours within the last 90 days.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4594H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4594H), registered now, S/N 17-12, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-17
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17-12
- Airframe hours: 1878
- Engines: Continental C85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1981, 33 hours before
- Departed: MCBAIN, MI
- Destination: CAD
- Airport: CAD, Wexford County Airport, runway 36, 2,005 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 410 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAD

## 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 19970707017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970707017119A), Jul 7, 1997: Piper PA17, Cadillac, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft came in too fast, lost control, landed gear collapsed. (.4)the pilot reported that when he attempted to land on runway 36, he 'had to much speed,' and…

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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