# NTSB CHI82DA288: Piper PA-28-180, N5286L, Rockford, IL, August 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1982, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Location: 42.2711° N, 89.0940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rockford, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2711&lon=-89.0940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA288

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - continued, pilot in command
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE OR MUSH AFTER TAKEOFF SO THE PILOT MADE A LANDING IN A SCHOOL YARD. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILURE TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION ALTHOUGH PILOT CLAIMED HE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 80 LBS. BELOW MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5286L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4586
- Airframe hours: 872
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Alcorn
- Registered owner: Ralph Alcorn
- Departed: 1C8, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: 73C, LANCASTER, WI
- Airport: 1C8, Cottonwood, runway 18, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 170 total, 170 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Observed at: RFD, 5 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 19820801033799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820801033799A), Aug 1, 1982: Piper PA28180, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage. Reported engine lost power after liftoff. Crash landed in a school yard. All systems checked normal.

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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