# NTSB CHI04CA259: Schroeder Wichawk, N227PS, New Hudson, MI, September 12, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2004, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: New Hudson, MI
- Coordinates: 42.506583, -83.622927
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5066&lon=-83.6229&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA259

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff roll.  A factor was the VASI light.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - vasi light/system (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The amateur-built experimental airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of runway.  The pilot reported that the airplane drifted left during takeoff roll and hit a VASI light.

## Factual narrative

On September 12, 2004, at 1500 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Schroeder Wichawk, N227PS, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of runway 7 (3,128 feet by 40 feet, asphalt) at the Oakland Southwest Airport (Y47), New Hudson, Michigan.  The pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that the airplane drifted left during takeoff roll and it hit a VASI light.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N227PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N227PS-2013-01-14), registration cancelled 2013-01-14, S/N 119, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schroeder Wichawk
- Registry model: [Schroeder Paul C WICHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/schroeder-paul-c-wichawk) (registry code 056557G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 119
- Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Schroeder
- Registered owner: Paul Schroeder
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Y47, New Hudson, MI
- Airport: Y47, Oakland Southwest Airport, runway 7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 400 total, 260 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040912023269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040912023269A), Sep 12, 2004: Amtr WICHAWK, New Hudson, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) As pilot was taking off he lost control. Hit the VASI light and then hit trees on other side of pond and came to rest on bank.

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.