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NTSB Report
July 19, 1985 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5279S
Big Falls, MN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Big Falls, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5279S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA299
THE PLT DIVERTED INTO THE BIG FALLS ARPT BECAUSE HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION WAS BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. AFTER CHECKING THE SOD RUNWAY FOR A FIRMNESS & DETERMINING A GO/NO GO POINT, HE SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK OFF USING SOFT FIELD TECHNIQUES. HIS ROTATION WAS WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DESIGNATED GO/NO GO POINT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES TO THE WEST OF THE AIRFIELD. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE TO A WIND SHIFT OR WIND SHEAR. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS & 35 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT DIVERTED INTO THE BIG FALLS ARPT BECAUSE HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION WAS BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. AFTER CHECKING THE SOD RUNWAY FOR A FIRMNESS & DETERMINING A GO/NO GO POINT, HE SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK OFF USING SOFT FIELD TECHNIQUES. HIS ROTATION WAS WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DESIGNATED GO/NO GO POINT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES TO THE WEST OF THE AIRFIELD. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE TO A WIND SHIFT OR WIND SHEAR. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS & 35 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:25 CDT
Nearest AirportBIGFALLS (1nm WNW)
Runway29
Runway Length2602 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5279S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:50
Weather SourcePILO