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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 8, 1991 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8411A

Rochester, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 8, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Rochester, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8411A
Operator
Filmore County Flying Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI92LA043

THE PILOT SAID WHILE FLYING A COUPLER AUTOPILOT INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT AT ROCHESTER, TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE MIDDLE MARKER. SUBSTANTIAL DEFLECTIONS OF THE OBS/GS INDICATOR WERE OBSERVED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ABOUT 4000 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. A CROSSWIND OF 17 KNOTS, 50 DEGREES TO THE RUNWAY HEADING WAS PRESENT DURING THE APPROACH.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER USE OF AUTOPILOT DURING APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN PROPER ALIGNMENT NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE TURBULENCE AND CROSSWINDS, OVER CONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT'S CAPABILITY AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT SAID WHILE FLYING A COUPLER AUTOPILOT INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT AT ROCHESTER, TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE MIDDLE MARKER. SUBSTANTIAL DEFLECTIONS OF THE OBS/GS INDICATOR WERE OBSERVED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ABOUT 4000 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. A CROSSWIND OF 17 KNOTS, 50 DEGREES TO THE RUNWAY HEADING WAS PRESENT DURING THE APPROACH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:41 CST
Nearest Airport1nm SSW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8411A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFilmore County Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 17 kt
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time06:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data