# NTSB CEN26LA186: Piper PA-28R-201, N31401, West Chicago, IL, May 13, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 13, 2026, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: West Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.907053, -88.247995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9071&lon=-88.2480&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Chicago FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202982/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202982 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff and delay to abort the takeoff which resulted in a subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he estimated a takeoff distance of 1,200 ft based on his gross weight and weather conditions. The airplane preflight, engine start, and engine run-up were normal for the personal flight, and he performed an intersection takeoff, which provided about 2,500 ft of useable runway length from a total runway length of 3,399 ft. The pilot began the takeoff roll from a full stop with full engine power and used a short field takeoff wing flap setting of 25o. The pilot stated that the engine was operating at full power, and the engine instruments indicated no problems. About 1,300 ft from the end of the runway, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff because the airplane did not attain his target rotation speed. The pilot reduced engine power to idle and applied brakes, but as the airplane neared the end of the runway, he applied maximum braking and moved the control yoke full aft to increase the airplane weight on the main landing gear wheels. The left main landing gear wheel then locked up, and the airplane veered off the runway and impacted a runway end identifier light resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used the entire runway length for the takeoff, which would have provided enough distance to safely stop the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31401](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31401), registered now, S/N 28R-7837234, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7837234 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5968.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2025 - Destination: JVL, Janesville, WI - Airport: DPA, DuPage Airport, runway 33, 3,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 833 total, 173 in this make and model, 759 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: DPA ## 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 20260513006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260513006609A), May 13, 2026: Piper PA-28R-201, West Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. On may 13, 2026, around 9:50AM CST, a commercial, instrument rate pilot was operating a 1978 Piper arrow – [privacy data omitted] – at dupage airport (kdpa)… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202982. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20788479&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20788400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Template%20Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.