# NTSB CHI88LA139: Piper PA-28R-201, N36472, Noblesville, IN, June 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1988, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Noblesville, IN
- Location: 40.0456° N, 86.0086° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Noblesville, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0456&lon=-86.0086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA139

## 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
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT RATE OF CLIMB TO CONTINUE FLIGHT. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, STRIKING TREES. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT LIMITATIONS WERE EXCEEDED. THE PILOT HAD NOT PERFORMED ANY WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. A WITNESS REPORTED A VERY ABRUPT ROTATION AND NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE AFTER LIFTOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36472](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36472-1989-04-06), registration cancelled 1989-04-06, S/N 28R7837280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R 7837280
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Indianapolis Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Indianapolis Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1988, 74 hours before
- Departed: 4I8, NOBLESVILLE, IN
- Airport: 4I8, Indianapolis Metropolitan, runway 14, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 608 total, 119 in this make and model, 558 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 18 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 19880622022719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880622022719A), Jun 22, 1988: Piper PA28R201, Noblesville, IN, Substantial damage. Reported aircraft failed to climb on takeoff. Hit tree landing off airport. Over gross wt. Post engine check normal.

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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