# NTSB MKC89FA201: Piper PA-22-150, N7844D, St. Charles, MN, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1989, 21:00 local (Sep 30, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MN
- Coordinates: 43.959701, -92.060722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9597&lon=-92.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA201

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB DURING A NIGHT TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: AN OUT-OF-C.G AIRPLANE, TAKEOFF WITH ONLY ONE MAGNETO OPERATING; AND THE LIMITED VISION OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

TAKEOFF WAS AT NIGHT WITH A VEHICLE POSITIONED AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND ITS HEADLIGHTS SHINING TOWARD THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO TAKE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN OBSERVED TURNING AND SETTLING INTO TREES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FOWARD C.G. LIMIT WAS EXCEEDED BASED ON THE PILOT'S AND FRONT SEAT PAX'S WEIGHT. THE PILOT HAD NO USEFUL VISION IN ONE EYE. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE AIRPLANE ON ONE MAG ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE MAG SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT MAG POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7844D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7844D-1993-04-06), registration cancelled 1993-04-06, S/N 225494 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5494
- Airframe hours: 2806
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Gordon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1989
- Destination: 90D, PINE CITY, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 28 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST, 22 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 19890929037179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890929037179A), Sep 29, 1989: Piper PA22150, St Charles, MN, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Took off at night from Private strip lit by auto lights. Lost control, struck trees.

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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