# NTSB CHI85LA274: Piper PA-36-285, N9909P, Mt. Carmel, IL, July 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Carmel, IL
- Coordinates: 38.410442, -87.770286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4104&lon=-87.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA274

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HIS ACFT WAS LOADED WITH DRY FERTILIZER.FOLLOWING TAKEOFF FROM THE SOD STRIP HE FAILED TO CLEAR A DIRT BANK AT THE SOUTH END OF THE AIRSTRIP. AFTER STRIKING THE DIRT BANK HE IMPACTED IN A CORNFIELD NOSE DOWN. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE PLT STATED TO AN FAA OPERATIONS INSPECTOR THAT HE WAS OVERGROSSED FOR THE FLD CONDITIONS OF THAT DAY. THE PLT'S ESTIMATE OF THE AIR TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 93 DEGS F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9909P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36750017
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIARA 6-285 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Lawrence J. Vieck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1985, 0 hours before
- Airport: RLA, Beckerman

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,900 total, 800 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 70 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 19850705030239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850705030239A), Jul 5, 1985: Piper PA36285, Mt Carmel, IL, Destroyed. Struck dirt bank after takeoff and impacted nose down in field. Overloaded for runway length and density altitude.

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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