Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Hale, Michigan, May 25, 2006
On May 25, 2006 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registered N3310P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hale, Michigan (Field Of Dreams Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain clearance from the tree. Factors were the crosswind and the tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2006 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Hale, Michigan · Field Of Dreams Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N3310P · registry record · serial 28R-7435121
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 226 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,545 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: H80 Hale MI at 10:10 pm
- Destination: 9MI0 Ypsilanti MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 2,400 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.54 inHg
- Observation at 9:37 pm from OSC, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.