# NTSB ATL88LA061: Piper PA-28-180, N9494J, Richmond Hts, OH, December 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1987, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Richmond Hts, OH
- Coordinates: 41.549915, -81.479888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5499&lon=-81.4799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA061

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON RWY 23 WITH A WIND FROM 160 DEG AT 13 KTS. THE TOWER CTLR SAW THE ACFT TURN SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AFTER LIFT-OFF & SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACT ABOUT 250' LEFT OF THE RWY. THE CTLR SAID THE PLT APPEARED TO HAVE 'JERKED' THE ACFT OFF OF THE RWY, & THAT IT SUBSEQUENTLY CLIMBED NO HIGHER THAN ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS FACIAL INJURIES DRG THE ACDNT. HE LATER RPRTD HE HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF THE ACDNT OR OF THE EVENTS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING IT. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AN EXAM OF THE SEAT REVEALED IT WAS SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT TRACKS & THAT THE LATCH FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9494J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9494J), registered now, S/N 28-3613 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 283613
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Summitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: CGF
- Destination: 4I3, MT. VERNON, OH
- Airport: CGF, Cuyahoga, runway 23, 5,101 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 152 total, 152 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGF, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871211081579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871211081579A), Dec 11, 1987: Piper PA28180, Cleveland, OH, Substantial damage. Made premature steep liftoff. Lost control,entered a steep left turn at 25 ft angle. Dragged a wing and cartwheeled

## Other investigations on N9494J (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA18CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA347), May 2, 2018: Piper PA28 (N9494J), Pine Spring, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying over mountainous terrain in turbulent wind conditions at night, which resulted in a tree strike.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.