# NTSB CHI84LA068: Piper PA-23-250, N54828, Michigan City, IN, December 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 07:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Michigan City, IN
- Coordinates: 41.709888, -86.86959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7099&lon=-86.8696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA068

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport snow removal - delayed, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN OFF THE SNOW COVERED RWY INTO SOFT GROUND AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING ACCELERATION FOR TAKEOFF HE FELT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR GO OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE REDUCED POWER BUT BY THIS TIME THE GEAR WAS IN SOFT GROUND AND THIS PULLED THE ACFT FURTHER OFF THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR HIT A FURROW IN A CORNFIELD AND COLLAPSED. THE PLT SAID 2 OR 3 INCHES OF NEW SNOW HAD FALLEN DURING THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND THE RWY WAS NOT PLOWED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE POSITION OF THE CENTERLINE. THE RWY LIGHTS ARE DISPLACED ABOUT 15 FT FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54828 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7554125
- Airframe hours: 4947
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Phillips Michigan City Flying
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 6, 1983, 88 hours before
- Destination: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MGC, Michigan City, runway 2, 4,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,280 total, 421 in this make and model, 2,115 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19831228064899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831228064899A), Dec 28, 1983: Piper PA23250, Michigan City, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off of snow covered runway during takeoff causing substantial damage.

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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