# NTSB CHI89LA146: Piper PA-32R-300, N3923F, Nappanee, IN, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1989, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Nappanee, IN
- Coordinates: 41.439907, -85.97927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4399&lon=-85.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA146

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT CALCULATION OF WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - all available runway - exceeded, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON A PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT DEMONSTRATING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. IT CONTINUED ACROSS A FIELD, ROADWAY, AND DITCH, SEPARATING THE LEFT WING FROM THE AIRPLANE. POST- ACCIDENT EVALUATION REVEALED 4 OF THE 6 CYLINDERS TO HAVE INADEQUATE COMPRESSION, THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT WAS EXCEEDED, AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS AFT OF ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3923F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3923F-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 32R-7680419, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680419
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Branch County Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 29, 1989
- Departed: C03
- Destination: FAM, FARMINGTON, MO
- Airport: C03, Nappanee Municipal, runway 27, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,322 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,227 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 23 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 19890727025419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890727025419A), Jul 27, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Nappanee, IN, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after liftoff,aborted and ran off end runway. Was loaded over gross weight and aft of CG.

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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