# NTSB CHI91LA020: Piper PA-28-180D, N264W, Crivitz, WI, October 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1990, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Crivitz, WI
- Coordinates: 45.22964, -87.999702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2296&lon=-87.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA020

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF (WHILE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM AN UPHILL SOD AIRSTRIP THAT WAS 1584' IN LENGTH.  HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED TO 60-65 MPH, BUT FAILED TO GAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES IN A RAVINE NEAR THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. AN INVESTIGATION AT THE SITE REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT APPEAR TO BECOME AIRBORNE UNTIL IT WENT OFF THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.  NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED.  THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N264W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N264W-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 285168 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180D
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5168
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: De Groot, Lawrence C.
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 9, 1,584 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,050 total, 600 in this make and model, 930 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901028047189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901028047189A), Oct 28, 1990: Piper PA28180, Crivitz, WI, Destroyed. Unable to obtain flying speed on uphill runway. Ran off end runway downhill into trees.

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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