# NTSB CHI91LA248: Piper PA-24-180, N5715P, Joliet, IL, August 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1991, 21:00 local (Aug 3, 1991, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.520065, -88.119934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5201&lon=-88.1199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA248

## Probable cause

A PROPER CLIMB RATE WAS NOT ATTAINED WHICH RESULTED IN A MUSH/STALL BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PERFORMANCE DATA MIS-JUDGED DUE TO LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF HE FELT A LACK OF ENGINE POWER AND A POSITIVE CLIMB RATE WAS NOT ATTAINED. THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE TERRAIN, JUST BEYOND THE RUNWAY'S END.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY POWER RELATED SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5715P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5715P-1994-04-29), registration cancelled 1994-04-29, S/N 24789 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-789
- Airframe hours: 3594
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Commuter Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1991, 20 hours before
- Airport: JOT, Joliet, runway 3, 2,970 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 234 total, 3 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Observed at: ARR, 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 19910802031569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910802031569A), Aug 2, 1991: Piper PA24, Joliet, IL, Substantial damage. Stall mushed into field off end of runway. Engine found normal post accident.

## Other investigations on N5715P (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 MKC67F0195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0195), Jul 30, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N5715P), Des Moines, IA, 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.

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