# NTSB CHI99LA197: Porter Searey, N827P, Morenci, MI, June 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1999, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Morenci, MI - Coordinates: 41.720851, -84.210937 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7209&lon=-84.2109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46674 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46674/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA197 ## Probable cause the pilots inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors to the accident were the high trees at the departure end of the runway, and the stall encountered. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot had just taken off from his private airstrip and did not believe that he could clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot decided to make a landing in an adjacent field that would require a turn of approximately 150 degrees. The pilot stated that the steep turn required resulted in a stall and subsequent nose down impact with the ground. The runway surface consisted of dry sod six inches high, which the pilot stated as a reason that the airplane did not reach rotation speed as soon as normal. The runway is approximately 965 feet long and 75 feet wide with high trees approximately 350 feet from the departure end of the runway. There is a slight uphill grade to the runway. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1999, approximately 1955 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Porter Searey, N827P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a precautionary landing near Morenci, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he had just taken off from his private airstrip and did not believe that he could clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he decided to make a landing in an adjacent field. The pilot stated that the landing required a turn of approximately 150 degrees. The pilot stated that the steep turn required resulted in a stall and subsequent nose down impact with the ground. The pilot reported that the runway surface consisted of dry sod six inches high, which he stated as a reason that the airplane did not reach rotation speed as soon as normal. The runway is approximately 965 feet long and 75 feet wide with high trees approximately 350 feet from the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that there is a slight uphill grade to the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N827P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N827P-2000-04-18), registration cancelled 2000-04-18, S/N 1DK074 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Porter SEAREY - Registry model: [Porter Roger SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/porter-roger-searey) (registry code 05607AR) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 DK074 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roger L. Porter - Registered owner: Porter Lumber Company, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 32, 965 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,838 total, 79 in this make and model, 1,838 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADG, 13 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 19990626007779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990626007779A), Jun 26, 1999: Amtr SEARAY, Morenci, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot tried to return to departure point after he realized the acft would not be able to clear the trees, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on June 26,… 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.