# NTSB CHI99LA107: Piper J4A, N30412, Howell, MI, March 14, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1999, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Howell, MI
- Location: 42.6294° N, 83.9822° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LIVINGSTON COUNTY/SPENCER J HARDY (OZW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6294&lon=-83.9822&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA107

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the snow covered terrain off the side of the runway while turning the airplane around on the runway.  A factor associated with the accident was the snow covered terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported the accident occurred as he was turning the airplane around on the runway after landing.  He reported that the airplane nosed over after contacting snow off the left side of the runway.  The runway was 4,300 feet long and 75 feet wide.

## Factual narrative

On March 14, 1999, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Piper J4A, NC30412, operated by an Airline Transport rated pilot nosed over while taxiing after landing on runway 31 (4,300' x 75') at the Livingston County Airport, Howell, Michigan.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  The departure airport is unknown at this time.

The pilot reported the accident occurred as he was turning the airplane around on the runway after landing.  He reported that the airplane nosed over after contacting snow off the left side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30412](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30412-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 4-1193, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J4A
- Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-1193
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alexander M. Allan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 78D, CARO, MI
- Destination: OZW
- Airport: OZW, Livingston County, runway 31, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, 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: 5,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19990314018999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990314018999A), Mar 14, 1999: Piper J4A, Howell, MI, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 14, 1999, at 1210 eastern standard time, a Piper J4A, NC30412, operated by an airline transport rated pilot nosed over while taxiing after…

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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