# NTSB CHI92LA115: Piper PA-28-161, N2959R, Lafayette, IN, March 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1992, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.419441, -86.890174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4194&lon=-86.8902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA115

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS DELAYING THE ABORTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command
  - climb - not attained

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT ON HIS FIRST SOLO DRIFTED LEFT, OFF THE RUNWAY AFTER LANDING.  NEARING A TREELINE, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED AIRBORNE WITH THE NOSE PITCHED UP.  THE AIRPLANE REMAINED NOSE HIGH AND ROLLED TO 60 DEGREES LEFT BANK BEFORE STRIKING THE TREES AND FALLING TO GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2959R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2959R-1992-04-28), registration cancelled 1992-04-28, S/N 287916586 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916586
- Airframe hours: 4720
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Purdue Pilots, Inc.
- Registered owner: Purdue Pilots, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1992, 69 hours before
- Airport: 3AR, Aretz, runway 25, 2,812 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 5 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 19920323007359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920323007359A), Mar 23, 1992: Piper PA28161, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. Drifted on touch and go. Tried go around but raised nose too high in attempt to miss trees, first solo.

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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