# NTSB CHI86LA009: Piper PA-28R-200, N9422N, Troy, MI, October 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1985, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF. ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. DURING AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND LANDED ON RAILROAD TRACKS. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN AT ALL POWER SETTINGS WITHOUT DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9422N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35134
- Airframe hours: 2850
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360-C1C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Letourneau College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1985, 90 hours before
- Destination: VHP, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 15 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 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 19851013051509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851013051509A), Oct 13, 1985: Piper PA28R200, Troy, MI, Destroyed. Airspeed too low, landing gear extended. Used override to retract but forced to land gear up on railroad tracks.

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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