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NTSB Report

May 19, 2003 · Piper PA-24-260 · N9181P

Blaney Park, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Blaney Park, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N9181P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA130

The airplane impacted trees and terrain while on landing approach. The pilot reported encountering a sudden sink rate 125 to 150 feet above ground level, while descending to land on runway 16. The pilot noted he increased engine power and pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to stop the descent. The pilot stated the airplane continued to descend and impacted a line of trees. The pilot reported the airplane slid 15 to 20 feet and pivoted to the right 180 degrees. At 1557, a weather reporting station, 13 nautical miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the tree line. Factors contributing to this accident were the wind gusts and the trees.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 2003, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9181P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, while on approach to runway 16 (3,000 feet by 90 feet, macadam) at a private airstrip near Blaney Park, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Pontiac, Michigan, at 1215. The pilot reported he encountered a "sudden sink rate" while descending to land at the private airstrip. The pilot noted he was at 125 to 150 feet above ground level when the airplane began the uncontrolled descent. The pilot stated he increased power and applied backpressure to the yoke. The pilot indicated the airplane continued to descend into a line of trees 75 to 100 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane impacted the trees and subsequently the terrain short of the runway. The pilot noted the airplane slid 15 to 20 feet and pivoted to the right about 180 degrees. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. At 1557, a weather reporting station at Schoolcraft County Airport (ISQ), 13 nautical miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN9181P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 84 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 50
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time19:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data