# NTSB CHI05CA248: Piper PA-28-180, N5211L, McConnell, IL, August 28, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2005, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: McConnell, IL - Coordinates: 42.377777, -89.563888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3778&lon=-89.5639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: West Chicago, IL FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62361/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA248 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in the attempted takeoff on the soft airstrip. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain, the corn crop, and the inadequate airspeed achieved during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - lift-off - not attained, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane collided with a corn crop during takeoff from a 1,400 foot long grass private airstrip. The pilot reported there was insufficient airspeed to takeoff. He stated there was a dike located off the end of the airstrip and in order to avoid contacting it, he turned the airplane to the left into a corn field. The airplane contacted the corn and spun around prior to coming to rest. The pilot, who is also the owner of the airstrip, stated the airstrip is located near a river and tends to be soft. He stated the airstrip was mowed the day prior to the accident. He stated that after the accident he walked the airstrip and determined that the ground was soft. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2005, at 1740 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N5211L, collided with a corn crop during takeoff from a private airstrip (1,400 feet long, wet grass), in McConnell, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the airplane did not gain sufficient airspeed to takeoff. He stated there was a dike located off the end of the airstrip and in order to avoid contacting it, he turned the airplane to the left into a corn field. The airplane contacted the corn and spun around prior to coming to rest. The pilot, who is also the owner of the airstrip, stated the airstrip is located near a river and tends to be soft. He stated the airstrip was mowed the day prior to the accident. He stated that after the accident he walked the airstrip and determined that the ground was soft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5211L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5211L), registered now, S/N 28-4503, built 1967 (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: 28-4503 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Franklin L. Leverton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVT, McConnell, IL - Destination: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 129 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: RFD ## 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 20050828024299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050828024299A), Aug 28, 2005: Piper PA28180, Mcconnell, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting to take off to the southwest from his Private grass strip located in Mcconnell, IL. During the takeoff… 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.