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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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NTSB Report

February 13, 1990 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6704W

Harbor Springs, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Harbor Springs, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6704W
Operator
Stevens Harris
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA081

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT HAD ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING HIS FIRST APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, SO HE PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT, HE MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL APPROACH AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN 'PAST THE NUMBERS.' THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED ON THE RUNWAY, IT 'CAUGHT A WIND GUST' AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ACROSS AN ICY AREA AND IMPACTED A PLOWED RIDGE OF SNOW LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 15.7 HOURS, OF WHICH .5 HOURS WERE SOLO FLIGHT TIME. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR, DRY AND IN GOOD CONDITION, AND SURFACE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 5 TO 7 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTIAN ADEQUATE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT HAD ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING HIS FIRST APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, SO HE PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT, HE MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL APPROACH AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN 'PAST THE NUMBERS.' THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED ON THE RUNWAY, IT 'CAUGHT A WIND GUST' AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ACROSS AN ICY AREA AND IMPACTED A PLOWED RIDGE OF SNOW LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 15.7 HOURS, OF WHICH .5 HOURS WERE SOLO FLIGHT TIME. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR, DRY AND IN GOOD CONDITION, AND SURFACE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 5 TO 7 KNOTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:25 EST
Nearest AirportHarbor Springs (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length4157 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6704W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStevens Harris
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data