# NTSB CHI91LA170: Piper PA28-140, N95041, Albany, MN, May 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Albany, MN
- Coordinates: 45.630928, -94.560173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6309&lon=-94.5602&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA170

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S FAILURE TO TAKE TIMELY AND PROPER REMEDIAL ACTION WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT ARE THE TALL GRASS EDGING THE RUNWAY, AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - directional control - inadequate, dual student
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vr) - not attained
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - landing gear - separation

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE GRASS RUNWAY.   HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AT A POINT ABOUT 1500 FEET DOWN THE GRASS RUNWAY, THERE WAS A 'LOSS IN RPM AND AIRSPEED.'  POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE POWERPLANT.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR TRACKS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOWED GRASS STRIP INTO TALLER VEGETATION AT A POINT APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY.  THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN CONTINUED PAST THE END OF THE RUNWAY, ACROSS AN ALFALFA FIELD, UNTIL IT STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95041](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95041-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 28-25781, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25781
- Airframe hours: 3709
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Skalicky, Norm, doing business as Norm'S Leasing
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1991, 12 hours before
- Airport: 4MNO, Skalicky

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 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 19910528017619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910528017619A), May 28, 1991: Piper PA28140, Albany, MO, Substantial damage. Student veered off runway into tall grass. CFI tried to continue takeoff. Unable to sustain flight,struck a ditch.

## Other investigations on N95041 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC74DER53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DER53), Jun 3, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N95041), Maple Lake, MN, substantial damage

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.