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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 29, 1989 · Piper PA-34-200 · N1294T

Jenison, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Jenison, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N1294T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA053

THE FLIGHT WAS A MULTI-ENGINE CHECK RIDE FOR THE PILOT/APPLICANT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT AS THEY WERE ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT 'ABRUPTLY OSCILLATED (BUFFETED), PITCHED NOSE UP THEN NOSE DOWN...' THE NOSEWHEEL IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND BROKE OFF, AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOTS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 1/2' OF MIXED ICE DURING THEIR DESCENT THROUGH THE CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT IN JULY, 1976. THE AIRCRAFT IS NOT CERTIFIED OR EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE ICING CONDITION THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE FLIGHT WAS A MULTI-ENGINE CHECK RIDE FOR THE PILOT/APPLICANT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT AS THEY WERE ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT 'ABRUPTLY OSCILLATED (BUFFETED), PITCHED NOSE UP THEN NOSE DOWN...' THE NOSEWHEEL IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND BROKE OFF, AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOTS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 1/2' OF MIXED ICE DURING THEIR DESCENT THROUGH THE CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT IN JULY, 1976. THE AIRCRAFT IS NOT CERTIFIED OR EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EST
Nearest AirportRiverview Airport (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length3765 ft
Runway Width46 ft
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN1294T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 1300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data