# NTSB CHI86FEM13: Piper PA-28-140, N4394J, Menominee, MI, August 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1986, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Menominee, MI
- Coordinates: 45.119071, -87.619544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1191&lon=-87.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEM13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM13

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST ENG PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND BACK ON THE RWY BUT RAN OFF THE END INTO A DITCH. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4394J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22785
- Airframe hours: 6746
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Chapman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 12 hours before
- Departed: MNM, MENOMINEE, MI
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: MNM, Twin County, runway 21, 5,999 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 42 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 19860804037299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860804037299A), Aug 4, 1986: Piper STCPA28, Menominee, MI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Aircraft ran off the end of the runway into a ditch. Worn and fouled mags and plugs.

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.
