# NTSB CHI92FA013: Piper PA28-140, N38713, Lafayette, IN, October 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1991, 19:00 local (Oct 19, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.4207, -86.770927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4207&lon=-86.7709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA013

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING INITIAL CLIMB.  FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND A DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS SEEN TO TAXI TOWARD THE RUNWAY DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF DARKNESS.  THE DESTROYED AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING IN A FIELD 500 FEET EAST OF THE AIRPORT PROPERTY.  NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS ON FILE.  THE PILOT OF ANOTHER AIRPLANE DEPARTING FROM THE AIRPORT ABOUT THE SAME TIME DESCRIBED VERY STRONG CROSSWINDS.  THE OBSERVED WINDS AT THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION WERE 80 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY HEADING UNDER OVERCAST SKIES.  THE MEASURED VELOCITY WAS 20 KNOTS GUSTING TO 25.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE 400 FEET RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38713](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38713-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 28-7725288, built 1977 (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: 28-7725288
- Airframe hours: 4483
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aretz Flying Service Inc
- Registered owner: Aretz Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 1991, 84 hours before
- Destination: UCY, UNION CITY, IN
- Airport: 3AR, Aretz, runway 7, 2,834 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 303 total, 11 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 7 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 19911018047229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911018047229A), Oct 18, 1991: Piper PA28140, Lafayette, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off at night in severe gusty crosswind,lost control and crashed nearly inverted into trees at end of runway.

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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