# NTSB CHI84LA101: Piper PA38-112, N91469, Lacon, IL, February 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1984, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lacon, IL
- Location: 41.0229° N, 89.4063° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lacon, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0229&lon=-89.4063&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12541/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - go-around - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE ACFT TO THE LACON ARPT FOR WINTER STORAGE. ON FINAL APCH SHE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT & STRUCK A SNOW BANK ON THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT DIFFICULTY IN DEPTH PERCEPTION DUE TO THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN RESULTED IN TOUCHDOWN SHORT OF THE RWY & COLLISION WITH A SNOWBANK. THE PLT ALSO ATTRIBUTED LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN MAKE & MODEL IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91469](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91469-1996-02-22), registration cancelled 1996-02-22, S/N 3882A0038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-82A0038
- Airframe hours: 595
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mead Raymond Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1983, 95 hours before
- Departed: PIA, PEORIA, IL
- Destination: C75, LACON, IL
- Airport: C-75, Lacon, runway 18, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 24 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIA, 25 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 19840201034479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840201034479A), Feb 1, 1984: Piper PA38112, Lacon, IL, Substantial damage. Collided with a snowbank short of the runway on the landing approach. Pilot blamed snow cover and depth perception.

## Other investigations on N91469 (1)

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.

- [NTSB BFO95LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA067), Jun 19, 1995: Piper PA-38-112 (N91469), Phillips, ME, destroyed. Probable cause: the private pilot's failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during the takeoff/initial climb. Related factors are the grass/turf runway, the improper weight and balance, and the…

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.
