# NTSB CHI82DA039: Piper PA-28-181, N7644F, East Lansing, MI, February 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1982, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: East Lansing, MI
- Coordinates: 42.999927, -84.840713 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9999&lon=-84.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA039

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ON A SNOW COVERED, SOD RUNWAY THAT HAD BEEN PLOWED WITH A 50 FT WIDE STRIP. THE PLOWED AREA HAD A SNOW BASE AND THERE WERE FOUR FOOT SNOW BANKS AT THE EDGES. ALTHOUGH THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN PLOWED ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND IT HAD NOT SNOWED. THE WIND HAD DRIFTED LOOSE SNOW OVERNIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A DRIFT. THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK THE SNOWBANK AT THE EDGE OF THE PLOWED STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7644F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7644F), registered now, S/N 28-7790201, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 7790201
- Airframe hours: 622
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William H. Cruse
- Registered owner: William H. Cruse
- Departed: 2D8, EAST LANSING, MI
- Destination: LAPEER, MI
- Airport: 2D8, Davis, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,960 total, 1,268 in this make and model, 2,003 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Observed at: LAN

## 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 19820206002799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820206002799A), Feb 6, 1982: Piper PA28181, East Lansing, MI, Substantial damage. Landing gear struck snow drift on runway on takeoff. Turned airplane into snowbank on edge of runway.

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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