# NTSB CHI89LA014: Piper PA-24-250, N7733P, Indianapolis, IN, October 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1988, 19:15 local (Oct 21, 1988, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.870559, -86.010688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8706&lon=-86.0107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AND LANDING GEAR RETRACTION, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS DISTRACTED BY CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THE PASSENGERS AND HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7733P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7733P), registered now, S/N 24-2947, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2947
- Airframe hours: 2844
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Graves, Dorel
- Registered owner: Graves, Dorel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: I14, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Airport: I14, Eagle Creek, runway 3, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,787 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,213 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 6 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 19881020047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881020047009A), Oct 20, 1988: Piper PA24250, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Raised gear at liftoff then distracted by passenger. Allowed aircraft to settle back to runway gear up.

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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