# NTSB ATL92LA115: Piper PA-28-161, N83453, Bainbridge, GA, June 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1992, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA115

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED DISTANCE OF RUNWAY REMAINING, RESULTING IN A DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT A CLOSED AIRPORT NEAR HIS DESTINATION AFTER OBSERVING AN ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOSS. AFTER LANDING, AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LOSS, AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE RUN ON THE GROUND SHOWED NORMAL OIL PRESSURE INDICATIONS. THE PILOT CONCLUDED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATING SYSTEM WAS AT FAULT, AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION. HE PERFORMED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF DUE TO A SHORT RUNWAY LENGTH AND DEPARTURE END OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES). AT TAKEOFF SPEED, THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT ROTATE, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE COULD NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN THE REMAINING RUNWAY DISTANCE, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83453](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83453-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 28-8116168, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116168
- Airframe hours: 4029
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bay Aviation
- Registered owner: Bay Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Airport: NONE, Commodore (Closed), runway 14, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 612 total, 9 in this make and model, 426 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 50 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 19920605018569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920605018569A), Jun 5, 1992: Piper PA28161, Bainbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Precaution landed on closed strip to check for low oil indication unable lift on takeoff. Aborted. Ran into trees.

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.

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