# NTSB CHI87LA115: Piper PA-32-260, N5593J, Byron Center, MI, April 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1987, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Byron Center, MI
- Coordinates: 42.8106, -85.720397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8106&lon=-85.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT FOLLOWING A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND ENGINE RUN-UP, HE ATTEMPTED A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE 2070 FOOT TURF RWY.  ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF APRX 1035 FEET DOWN THE RWY BECAUSE HE HELD THE NOSE TOO HIGH AND HE WAS DRAGGING THE TAIL OF THE ACFT ON THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN TRAVELED OFF THE RWY WHERE IT CONTACTED SCHRUBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5593J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5593J-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 321060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1060
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Palma Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1986
- Departed: C05, MI
- Destination: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: C05, South Kent, runway 13, 2,070 × 135 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 57 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 7 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 19870420010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870420010549A), Apr 20, 1987: Piper PA32260, Byron Center, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck trees during an aborted takeoff. Pilot over rotated and the aircraft failed to become airborne.

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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