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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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February 20, 1990 · Piper PA-22 · N4859A

Ely, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ely, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N4859A
Operator
Jenc Paul
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA056

AS THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF ON RWY 30, THE TAILWHEEL CONVERTED ACFT TURNED INTO THE WIND. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & NOSED OVER. THE 1520 CST WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE STRONG/GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION.

Full Narrative

AS THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF ON RWY 30, THE TAILWHEEL CONVERTED ACFT TURNED INTO THE WIND. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & NOSED OVER. THE 1520 CST WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportELY (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length5600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN4859A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJenc Paul
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time21:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data