# NTSB CHI90LA165: Piper PA-24-250, N5250P, Millington, MI, July 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Millington, MI
- Coordinates: 43.279109, -83.520744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2791&lon=-83.5207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA165

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PLANNING-DECISION, FAILURE TO OBTAIN LIFT-OFF AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE THE UPHILL SLOPING RUNWAY, SOFT TURF, HIGH GRASS, AND COMPLACENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM AN 1,800 FOOT GRASS STRIP WITH AN UPHILL SLOPE. THE TURF WAS SOFT, AND THE GRASS WAS 6-10 INCHES HIGH. THE AIRCRAFT LOAD CONSISTED OF THE PILOT, THREE ADULT PASSENGERS, AND 52 GALLONS OF FUEL. APPROXIMATELY THREE- QUARTERS DOWN THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT REACHED LIFT-OFF AIRSPEED, AND THE PILOT THOUGHT IT WAS TOO LATE TO INITIATE AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT AND RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR TO ATTEMPT A TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SEVERAL TREES 8-10 FEET HIGH AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND CRASHED INTO AN ADJACENT FARMER'S FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5250P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5250P-1992-05-06), registration cancelled 1992-05-06, S/N 24282 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-282
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Garold L. Fox
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: Y47, NEW HUDSON, MI
- Airport: NONE, Jenson, runway 27, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,938 total, 1,141 in this make and model, 1,593 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 20 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 19900701025519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701025519A), Jul 1, 1990: Piper PA24250, Millington, MI, Destroyed. Tried to takeoff on short soft tall grass strip upgrade and near gross weight. Struck trees off end of runway.

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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