# NTSB CHI91LA104: Piper PA-28-180, N8026W, Genesee, MI, March 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1991, 19:45 local (Mar 2, 1991, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Genesee, MI
- Coordinates: 43.120235, -83.610015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1202&lon=-83.6100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA104

## Probable cause

POSITIVE LIFTOFF AIRSPEED WAS NOT ATTAINED, AN ABORTED TAKEOFF WAS NOT PERFORMED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH DESCENT TO THE TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A DARK RAINING NIGHT, SOFT, WET GRASS RUNWAY AND A DOWNWIND SURFACE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF DOWNWIND FROM A SOFT, WET, 2200-FT STRIP ON A DARK NIGHT WITH RAIN FALLING. HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN POSITIVE LIFTOFF/CLIMB AIRSPEED AND THE AIRPLANE MUSHED BACK TO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8026W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8026W-1993-11-29), registration cancelled 1993-11-29, S/N 282092 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2092
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hangar One Aero Club, Inc.
- Destination: C19, HOLLAND, MI
- Airport: 68G, Duford, runway 36, 2,090 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 300 total, 49 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910301004139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910301004139A), Mar 1, 1991: Piper PA28180, Genesee, MI, Substantial damage. Tried to take off on soft grass strip,downwind. Standing water,snow and slush on runway. Lifted,settled and crashed

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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