# NTSB CHI99LA305: Piper PA-28-180, N44547, Harsens Island, MI, August 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1999, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Harsens Island, MI - Coordinates: 42.589687, -82.570106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5897&lon=-82.5701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47089 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47089/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA305 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the berm and the pond. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - engine accessories,engine starter - engaged - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power following takeoff. The pilot said that he elected to land on the remaining runway. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway striking a berm and coming to rest in a pond at the end of the runway. The aircraft remained in the water for approximately 40 hours. The runway surface was firm and the grass was approximately 2 inches long. The propeller was found to have a gouge approximately 1/2 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long perpendicular to the leading edge, approximately 13 inches from the tip. The starter bendix was found engaged and the starter was engaged with the engine ring gear. When rotated by hand, the engine turned with difficulty with the starter in place. When the starter was removed, the engine rotated 'normally'. A compression check was performed and cylinder 1 had no compression. No other preexisting anomalies were found with respect to the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1999, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N44547, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a forced landing after takeoff from runway 22 (2,225 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf) at the Harsens Island Airport, Harsens Island, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries to himself or to his one passenger. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to the Oakland/Troy Airport, Troy Michigan. The pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power immediately after takeoff. The pilot elected to land on the remaining runway. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway striking a berm and coming to rest in a pond. The aircraft remained in the water for approximately 40 hours. At a postaccident examination, of the aircraft and accident site, was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector stated that the "...runway surface was firm and [the] grass was approximately 2 inches long." The propeller was found to have a "... large gouge approximately 1/2 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long perpendicular to the leading edge, approximately 13 inches from the tip." The engine primer was found in, fuel selector on the left fuel tank, throttle full aft, mixture full forward, carburetor heat off, flap-handle approximately 45 degrees up. The flap indicator was at the first indication from flaps full up. The inspector stated that he found the starter bendix engaged and that the starter was engaged with the engine ring gear. When rotated by hand, the engine turned with difficulty with the starter in place. When the starter was removed, the engine rotated "normally". A compression check was performed "... by rotating the propeller. Cylinders 2,3 and 4 had normal compression. Cylinder 1 had no compression." The accessory gears were found to rotate when the prop was turned. No other preexisting anomalies were found with respect to the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44547](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44547-2000-02-01), registration cancelled 2000-02-01, S/N 28-7405259 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7405259 - Airframe hours: 7011 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Baron Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1999, 8 hours before - Departed: Z92 - Destination: 7D2, TROY, MI - Airport: Z92, Harsens Island, runway 22, 2,225 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 318 total, 318 in this make and model, 259 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: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MTC, 12 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 19990817012399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990817012399A), Aug 17, 1999: Piper PA28180, Harsens Island, MI, Substantial damage. Short field takeoff, engine stopped, acft slid off rwy into pond. (.19) on August 17, 1999, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N44547, piloted… 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.