# NTSB CHI98LA330: Piper PA-32-260, N4887S, Sault Ste Marie, MI, August 28, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1998, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Sault Ste Marie, MI - Coordinates: 46.480735, -84.360748 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4807&lon=-84.3607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44072 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44072/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA330 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane and the runway marker. A factor contributing to this accident was the runway marker. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he was back taxiing on runway 16 to position himself for takeoff on runway 34. While taxiing, the pilot noticed a deer on the east side of the runway. The pilot taxied along the west side of the runway, just outside of the runway lights. The pilot looked back over his shoulder to look for the deer. When he turned around, the pilot said he noticed that the airplane was too close to the runway lights. The pilot swerved the airplane to the right, where it subsequently struck the runway marker. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1998, at 1730 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper PA-32-260, N4887S, sustained substantial damage when during back-taxi on runway 16 at the Chippewa County Airport, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the airplane struck a runway distance remaining marker. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot and passenger on board reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was back taxiing on runway 16 to position himself for takeoff on runway 34. While taxiing, the pilot noticed a deer on the east side of the runway. The pilot taxied along the west side of the runway, just outside of the runway lights. The pilot looked back over his shoulder to look for the deer. When he turned around, the pilot said he noticed that the airplane was too close to the runway lights. The pilot swerved the airplane to the right, where it subsequently struck the runway marker. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the airport. The leading edge of the airplane's right wing was crushed inward. The forward spar was bent aft. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent back at the leading edge and punctured inward underneath. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were revealed in the airplane's engine or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4887S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4887S), registered now, S/N 32-7100011, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7100011 - Airframe hours: 5989 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Great Lakes Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: CIU - Airport: CIU, Chippewa County Airport, runway 34, 7,201 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,900 total, 600 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: APN, 80 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 19980828022199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980828022199A), Aug 28, 1998: Piper PA32260, Sault Ste Marie, MI, Substantial damage. Acft lost control on takeoff and struck a rwy remaining sign. (-23) on August 28, 1998, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N4887S, sustained… ## Other investigations on N4887S (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 GAA18CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA081), Dec 5, 2017: Piper PA 32 (N4887S), Cheboygan, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s rate of descent in gusting wind conditions resulting in a hard landing and runway excursion. 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.