# NTSB CHI87LA218: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8315S, Grayslake, IL, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1987, 23:15 local (Sep 20, 1987, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Grayslake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.339847, -88.029495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3398&lon=-88.0295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ON A DARK NIGHT WHEN THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE INTENDED LANDING RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN SOFT TURF AND DURING SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL, TURNED RIGHT AND NOSED DOWN INTO A RAVINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE ONLY THREE RUNWAY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THAT HIS LANDING LIGHT DID NOT HELP IN FINDING THE RUNWAY. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS DECISION MAKING PROCESS WAS DEGRADED AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND STRESS CREATED WHEN HE INITIALLY SPENT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TRYING TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8315S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8315S), registered now, S/N 28R-8131044, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8131044
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cardinal Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 3, 1987
- Departed: BMG, BLOOMINGTON, IN
- Destination: C81, GRAYSLAKE, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: C81, Campbell Airport, runway 27, 3,250 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 709 total, 265 in this make and model, 658 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 17 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 19870920055119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920055119A), Sep 20, 1987: Piper PA28RT201T, Grayslake, IL, Substantial damage. Landed in soft turf beside runway. Lost control. Turned right and nosed down in ravine. Inadequate runway lights.

## Other investigations on N8315S (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 CHI98LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA043), Nov 22, 1997: Piper PA-28RT-201T (N8315S), Janesville, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the dual student's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, and the instructor's failure to provide adequate supervision of the flight. Factors associated with the accident were: inadequate…

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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