# NTSB CHI90LA014: Piper PA-38-112, N9487T, Lincoln, IL, October 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1989, 09:44 local (14:44 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, IL
- Coordinates: 40.150974, -89.360351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1510&lon=-89.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA014

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE RUNWAY CONDITION & OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - loose objects (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT AN ARPT THAT WAS CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION WHEN HIS ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL. HE REFUELED, BUT ONLY HAD ABOUT 1200 FT OF AVAILABLE RWY FOR TAKEOFF. THE SOD RWY WAS WET & THE GRASS WAS RPRTD TO BE 'LONG.' THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB. HE SAID THAT HE TURNED RIGHT & LANDED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS, (TREES & HOUSES), BUT THE ACFT HIT 2 HOUSES BEFORE STOPPING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9487T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9487T-1991-03-22), registration cancelled 1991-03-22, S/N 3878A0114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0114
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stevan E. Vowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: C09, MORRIS, IL
- Airport: 3LC, Logan County, runway 32, 2,700 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 206 total, 25 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI, 26 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 19891021042069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891021042069A), Oct 21, 1989: Piper PA38112, Lincoln, IL, Substantial damage. Landed at a closed airport to obtain fuel. Then tried depart on half runway, liftoff nose high stalled into houses.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.