# NTSB CHI98LA310: Piper PA-25-235, N75HM, Leland, IL, July 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1998, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Leland, IL - Coordinates: 41.610225, -88.790794 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6102&lon=-88.7908&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 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43658/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA310 ## Probable cause Control interference between the pilot-in-command and the student. An excessive descent rate and inadequate flare by the student during landing are contributing factors. The inadequate supervision by the pilot-in-command is an additional factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - excessive, dual student (cause) - flare - inadequate, dual student (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - improper decision, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - elevator - inadvertent use, dual student (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The student reported that he was told to release the control stick when it was yanked upon by the instructor. During the student's fourth landing, the aircraft bounced and the instructor yanked the stick. The student reported that he released the stick and the instructor took control of the airplane. It was also stated by the student that when the instructor took the stick, the instructor said, give me the stick. The instructor applied full power after the bounce and continued 2/3 down the runway a little nose high. The student also observed the airspeed to be 50 KIAS. The nose pitched upwards and the airplane stalled. The right wing dropped and the nose impacted the ground. The instructor reported that the student bounced the landing and applied full aft control. The instructor called out, 'my controls', but the stick remained in the full aft position. The instructor attempted to fly the aircraft with throttle and rudder. Inspection of the elevator control system found no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1998, at 0800 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N75HM, piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during landing on runway 25 (2500' x 100', turf) at Leland Field near Leland, Illinois. The aircraft bounced and made a hard landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 agricultural instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The student reported minor injuries. The local flight departed Leland Field at 0750. In a written statement, the student reported that he had enrolled in the instructor's agricultural pilot training program. The commercial rated student stated that his total flight time was 300 hours, three hours of which were in the accident airplane. The student did not possess a tail wheel endorsement. The lesson plan was to practice takeoff and landings. The student was told to release the control stick when it was yanked upon by the instructor. During the student's third landing, the aircraft bounced, the instructor yanked the control stick and reentered the traffic pattern, at which time he released the controls to the student. During the student's fourth landing, the aircraft bounced, the instructor yanked the control stick and the student released the controls. It was also stated by the student that when the instructor took the control stick, the instructor said, give me the stick, and applied full power. The student observed the airspeed to be 50 KIAS. The airplane continued 2/3 down the runway a little nose high. The nose then pitched upwards and the airplane stalled. The right wing dropped and the nose impacted the ground. The instructor reported that the student bounced the landing and applied full aft control. The instructor called out, "my controls", but the stick remained in the full aft position. The instructor attempted to fly the aircraft with throttle and rudder. Inspection of the elevator control system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no anomalies. A functional check showed full up and down travel of the elevator system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75HM-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 257556182, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-G1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-g1a5) (registry code 42344, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-7556182 - Airframe hours: 2201 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1998, 17 hours before - Airport: E16, Leland, runway 25, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 18,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 26 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 19980717044959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980717044959A), Jul 17, 1998: Piper PA25235, Leland, IL, Substantial damage. On July 17, 1998, a 0800 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N75HM, operated by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain… ## Other investigations on N75HM (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA06LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA163), Aug 19, 2006: Piper PA-25-235 (N75HM), North Plains, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during approach, which resulted in excessive speed at touchdown, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A… 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.