Piper PA-28-140 N541FL
27 June 1991 · Vermillion, South Dakota, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 27 June 1991 at about 01:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N541FL, operated by Kenneth A. Korn, was involved in an accident near Vermillion, South Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 01:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
- Nearest airport
- Harold-Davidson Field (VMR)
- Coordinates
- 42.7800, -96.9195
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140
- Registration
- N541FL
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Kenneth A. Korn
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI91LA202
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES AND AN IMPROPER LANDING FLARE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE USE OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL, EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND OVERSHOOTING THE PLANNED LANDING APPROACH.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
AFTER A BRIEF LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT TO REENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE REPORTED THAT AS HE NEARED THE AIRPORT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION AND ALTITUDE THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND LANDING ON RUNWAY 30 (HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS AS OUT OF 140 DEGREES AT 10 TO 12 KNOTS). THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND MADE A HARD LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN UP REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS INSTRUCTOR HAD ABORTED A FLIGHT EARLIER IN THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE FAILED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THEY ATTRIBUTED THAT ENGINE FAILURE TO VAPOR LACK. THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH AUTOMOBILE GAS, AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-28 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1991 | Piper PA-28-140 | Hibbing, Minnesota, United States | WM. & Audrey Svigel | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-28 | Berryville, Arkansas, United States | Snider, Richard D. | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Nov 1991 | Piper PA-28-161 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | P.c. Flyers | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-28-180 | Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States | Martin Sade | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jan 1991 | Piper PA-28-140 | Titusville, Florida, United States | Achord, Marvin L. | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Dec 1991 | Piper PA-28-140 | Yuma, Colorado, United States | Aero Training of the Rockies | No injuries | - |
All 9,402 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1991 | Cessna 170A | Newell, South Dakota, United States | Black Hills Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 4 Jul 1991 | Champion 7KCAB | Hill City, South Dakota, United States | Bruce Anspaugh | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 1991 | Cessna 150F | Faulkton, South Dakota, United States | Hass, Larry J. and Bower, Gary | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Piper PA-38 | Bridgewater, South Dakota, United States | Paweltzki, Jerry | No injuries | - |
| 26 May 1991 | Piper PA-18-125 | Newell, South Dakota, United States | Orwick Ranch | Fatal | 2 |
| 13 Jul 1991 | Cessna 188/B | Hecla, South Dakota, United States | Country Air Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |