# NTSB DEN88LA017: Piper J5A, N32887, Devils Lake, ND, October 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1987, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Devils Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.10902, -98.870498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1090&lon=-98.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A COMMERCIAL PLT WAS GIVING INSTRUCTION TO ANOTHER COMMERCIAL PLT WITH A CFI RATING. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET OVER A WATER FOWL PRODUCTION LAKE. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING A TURN AND PULL UP, THE ENGINE LOSTPOWER AND THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE LAKE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32887](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32887), registered now, S/N 5-393, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5393
- Airframe hours: 3736
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jackson, Carl F.
- Registered owner: Jacob G Hoffner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1987, 34 hours before
- Departed: DVL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,741 total, 36 in this make and model, 1,630 as pilot in command, 287 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVL, 3 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 19871031061779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871031061779A), Oct 31, 1987: Piper J5A, Devils Lake, ND, Substantial damage. Practicing a crop spraying pass. During the turn around reported power loss. Aircraft stalled. Crashed into a lake.

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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