# NTSB CHI86LA205: Piper PA-28-140, N40754, Linden, MI, August 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1986, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Linden, MI
- Coordinates: 42.810459, -83.779067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8105&lon=-83.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT WITH THREE PASSENGERS WAS ATTEMPTING TO PRACTICE A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE 2500 FT LONG ASPHALT RUNWAY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDS 25 DEGREES OF FLAPS TO PERFORM THE TAKEOFF. THE PLT DID NOT EXTEND ANY FLAPS. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY INTO TALL CORN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40754](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40754-1991-03-22), registration cancelled 1991-03-22, S/N 287425157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287425157
- Airframe hours: 2615
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Ed, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Ed Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1986
- Departed: 9G2, LINDEN, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: 9G2, Price, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 40 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 9 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 19860816040389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860816040389A), Aug 16, 1986: Piper PA28140, Linden, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck tall corn when it drifted off runway at liftoff. The pilot failed to use flaps on short field.

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.
