# NTSB CHI83LA002: Piper PA-22, N4434A, Romeoville, IL, October 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1982, 20:30 local (Oct 2, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Romeoville, IL
- Coordinates: 41.580966, -88.040542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5810&lon=-88.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AT NIGHT, SAW THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. ON FINAL APPROACH, HE SAW A ROTATING BEACON AND THOUGHT AN AIRCRAFT WAS HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AS HE CONTINUED ON FINAL, HE SAW THAT THE BEACON WAS ON A VEHICLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED AND STARTED TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT HE "FLEW DOWN A LITTLE WAY", THEN DECIDED TO LAND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON TURF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST IN A TRENCH THAT RAN PARALLEL AND NEXT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4434A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4434A), registered now, S/N 22-3763, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3763
- Airframe hours: 1835
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Russell A. Spenger
- Registered owner: Russell A. Spenger
- Departed: O6C, SCHAUMBURS, IL
- Destination: JHW, JAMESTOWN, NY
- Airport: LOT, Romeoville, runway 9, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 446 total, 290 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 133 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821001052469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821001052469A), Oct 1, 1982: Piper PA22150, Romeoville, IL, Substantial damage. Ran off side of runway on the landing roll. Struck a ditch and nosed over.

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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