# NTSB CHI92LA153: Piper PA-28-140, N15619, Osage City, KS, May 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1992, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Osage City, KS
- Coordinates: 38.630409, -95.81977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6304&lon=-95.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA153

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ROUGH/UNEVEN RUNWAY SURFACE AND THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - runway maintenance - inadequate, other government personnel (contributing factor)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING WITH CALM TO VERY LIGHT WIND CONDITIONS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON ITS MAIN LANDING GEAR ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN '...HOPPING LIGHTLY... .'   SHORTLY AFTER THE LIGHT 'HOPPING' THE AIRPLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TWO DITCHES AND A ROAD WHICH WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY EDGE.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE 40 FOOT WIDE RUNWAY HAS 1/2 TO 1 INCH DEPRESSIONS ON ITS SURFACE. HE ALSO STATED THAT ANOTHER AIRPLANE HAD THE SAME TYPE ACCIDENT ABOUT TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE MANAGER STATED THAT SHALLOW, WAVY, RUTS RUN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15619](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15619), registered now, S/N 28-7325117 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- 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: 28-7325117
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ken D. Epperly
- Registered owner: Ken D. Epperly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: 5C8, BURLINGTON, KS
- Airport: 53K, Osage City Airport, runway 17, 2,580 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 74 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMP, 50 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 19920518022119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920518022119A), May 18, 1992: Piper PA28140, Osage City, KS, Substantial damage. Crow hopped on landing roll. Lost directional control. Departed runway into a ditch.

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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