Piper PA-28R-200 N3310P

Summary

On 25 May 2006 at about 22:10 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 registered N3310P, operated by David D. Berger, was involved in an accident near Hale, Michigan, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 May 2006 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Hale, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Field of Dreams Airport (H80)

Coordinates

44.3650, -83.7625

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-200

Registration

N3310P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

David D. Berger

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hale → Ypsilanti

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06LA139

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain clearance from the tree. Factors were the crosswind and the tree.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane sustained substantial damage when the left wing hit a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain after takeoff from runway 08 (2,400 feet long by 90 feet wide, grass). The pilot reported that he used the entire length of the runway to "build up takeoff speed." He reported the airplane lifted off the ground with about 800 feet of runway remaining. He reported, "Cross wind pushed aircraft left into tree line. Could not climb over tree at end of runway." The left wing clipped the tree about 40 feet above the ground, and the airplane landed in a field straight ahead. The landing gear hit a fence while landing. The pilot reported, "Cross wind had greater effect than anticipated based on the windsock. Blown into the path of the tree line. Possible gusting of wind." The pilot indicated there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. The pilot reported that the windsock indicated winds from 110 degrees at 7 - 10 knots. The inspection of the accident site revealed that the large oak tree that was struck was 55 feet in height and located about 330 feet from the runway and 75 feet left of center of runway 08. (The location of the tree is identified on the website for the airport, and is depicted in the state's airport directory) The inspection of the engine revealed no deficiencies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The airplane had about a 964-pound useful load limit. The combined weight of the pilot and three passengers was about 800 pounds. The fuel weighed about 160 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.