# NTSB MKC80DER22: Piper PA-38, N107WC, Fergus Falls, MN, January 13, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 13, 1980
- Place: Fergus Falls, MN · FERGUS FALLS, MN
- Location: 46.2861° N, 96.0758° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fergus Falls, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2861&lon=-96.0758&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 4, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC80DER22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DER22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1100  80/1/13    FERGUS FALLS,MN     PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 26, 45 TOTAL
        TIME - 1400                    N107WC              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, 6 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EINAR MICKELSON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FERGUS FALLS,MN             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      4000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING HEAD WIND 293-337 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           35                                                      315
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           30                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- WIND CHANGED/INCREASED AFTR TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N107WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N107WC-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 3878A0261, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Einar Mickelson

## 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 19800113001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800113001479A), Jan 13, 1980: Piper PA38112, Fergus Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Student pilot landed in severe crosswind. Lost control of aircraft in wind-induced skid.

## Other investigations on N107WC (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN11CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA284), Apr 13, 2011: Piper PA38 (N107WC), Peyton, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing.

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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