# NTSB CHI87LA025: Piper PA-34-220T, N8161K, Detroit, MI, November 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1986, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.400962, -83.000053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4010&lon=-83.0001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON LANDING AT DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TOWER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON RUNWAY 3C OR TAXIWAY J, AND TAXI TO BUTLER AVIATION. THE PILOT THEN TURNED ONTO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TAXIWAY J, BUT WAS ACTUALLY A PAVED AREA BETWEEN TAXIWAYS. WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT ON A TAXIWAY, HE TOLD THE TOWER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAXI STRAIGHT AHEAD IF POSSIBLE AND HE WOULD BE ON THE TAXIWAY. AFTER MOVING FORWARD, A NUMBER OF FEET, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED AN UNMARKED TRENCH, APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT WIDE BY 15 FEET LONG AND ABOUT 4 INCHES DEEP, TEARING OFF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8161K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8161K-1988-04-15), registration cancelled 1988-04-15, S/N 348233109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348233109
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Olson Flight Services
- Registered owner: Van Air Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Airport: DTW, Detroit Metro Wayne, runway 27, 8,700 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,221 total, 512 in this make and model, 3,091 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW

## 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 19861112054619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861112054619A), Nov 12, 1986: Piper PA34220T, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a ditch during night taxi. The tower directed pilot into an unmarked hazard.

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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