# NTSB CHI87LA166: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2904A, Chelsea, MI, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1987, 21:30 local (Jul 12, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Chelsea, MI
- Coordinates: 42.310371, -84.020149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3104&lon=-84.0201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A 1800 FOOT SOD, UPSLOPING RUNWAY WITH TALL, WET GRASS. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2700 FEET. AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED OUT OF GROUND EFFECT THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED 'FUNNY' AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A TREE AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2904A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2904A), registered now, S/N 28R-7918212, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7918212
- Airframe hours: 1894
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hand'S Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: YIP, YPSILANTI, MI
- Airport: Sharphorn, runway 21, 1,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 976 total, 76 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 20 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 19870711072439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870711072439A), Jul 11, 1987: Piper PA28RT201, Chelsea, MI, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a weed grown upslope damp farm strip. Unable to climb out of ground effect struck trees off end.

## Other investigations on N2904A (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI80DEE31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEE31), Jun 24, 1980: Piper PA28RT (N2904A), West Chicago, IL, substantial damage

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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