# NTSB CHI92LA116: Piper PA-28-161, N135AT, Hanover, KS, March 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1992, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Hanover, KS
- Coordinates: 39.890876, -96.870193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8909&lon=-96.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF EARLIER IN THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AFTER LIFT-OFF. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND APPLIED BRAKES TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE REALIZED HE COULD NOT STOP SO HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND RELEASED THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT BUT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND AND STRUCK A FENCE POST. THE 1700 FOOT RUNWAY WAS SOFT DUE TO RECENT RAINFALL. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD JUST LANDED TO PICK UP AN ADDITIONAL TWO PASSENGERS FOR THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N135AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N135AT-1994-07-07), registration cancelled 1994-07-07, S/N 287916222 (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: 28-7916222
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kansas Air Center
- Registered owner: Kansas Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Destination: MHK, MANHATTAN, KS
- Airport: CY5, Coufal, runway 35, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 22 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19920322007349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920322007349A), Mar 22, 1992: Piper PA28161, Hanover, KS, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate on short soft sod runway. Aborted. Unable stop. Tried go around. Mushed into a fence at end.

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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