# NTSB CHI91LA261: Piper PA-32-R300, N40446, Lake In Hills, IL, August 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1991, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Lake In Hills, IL
- Coordinates: 42.15982, -88.300346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1598&lon=-88.3003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA261

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY ASSURING THE GEAR LEVER WAS IN THE DOWN AND LOCKED POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - premature
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FAILED TO NOTICE THE GEAR RETRACTION LEVER WAS IN THE UP POSITION DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  THE GEAR RETRACTED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40446](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40446-1993-10-21), registration cancelled 1993-10-21, S/N 32R7780517 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-R300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780517
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen, George, A. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1991
- Airport: 3CK, Lake In The Hills, runway 8, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 509 total, 52 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: DPA, 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 19910813034009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910813034009A), Aug 13, 1991: Piper PA32R300, Lake In The Hil, IL, Substantial damage. Mechanic left gear lever in up. Pilot failed to note before initiating test flight. Gear collapsed on takeoff roll.

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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