# NTSB DEN87LA149: Piper PA-36-285, N57773, Driscoll, ND, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Driscoll, ND
- Coordinates: 46.850421, -100.129615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8504&lon=-100.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AS HE WAS LNDG ON A PAVED SECTION OF OLD HIGHWAY TO LOAD CHEMICALS. THE ACFT SWERVED & WENT INTO A DITCH. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST BACK ON THE ROADWAY, WHERE IT WAS DESTROYED BY A POST-ACDNT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57773](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57773-1988-11-28), registration cancelled 1988-11-28, S/N 367660086 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660086
- Airframe hours: 1680
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIARA 6-285 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Foss And Meier Flight Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: DVL, DEVILS LAKE, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,700 total, 175 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19870614020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870614020249A), Jun 14, 1987: Piper PA36285, Driscoll, ND, Destroyed. Lost control of plane while landing on a road to load chemicals. Veered into a ditch. Post fire destroyed aircraft.

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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