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NTSB Report
September 30, 1989 · Piper PA-22-150 · N7844D
St. Charles, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
St. Charles, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N7844D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC89FA201
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.
NTSB 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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN7844D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:52
Weather SourceWFAC