# NTSB CHI92LA180: Piper PA-38-112, N2363K, Catherine, KS, June 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1992, 21:00 local (Jun 17, 1992, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Catherine, KS
- Coordinates: 38.869018, -99.310127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8690&lon=-99.3101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.  FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN SELECTED BY THE PILOT AND AIRPLANE CLEARANCE OVER THE FENCE NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - object - fence
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - unavailable
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PERFORMING TURNS AROUND A POINT, HIS GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE, WHEN HIS PASSENGER BECAME ILL.  THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A ROUGH PASTURE AREA NEAR THE HOME.  THE ILL PASSENGER DEPLANED AND A RELATIVE OF THE PILOT ENPLANED.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED CLUMPS OF TALL GRASS AND RUTS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT,  'I THOUGHT WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO BECOME AIRBORNE WHEN WE HIT A BIG RUTT, THIS SLOWED US DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY TO NOT ENABLE US TO BECOME AIRBORNE, BUT NOT SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP.'  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE AIRPLANE FLY OVER A FENCE AT THE END OF THE 1/4 MILE FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND ITS MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRES STRUCK THE FENCE.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK DID NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION WHICH WOULD FACTOR SOD FIELD OPERATIONS INTO THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE CALCULATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2363K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2363K-1993-11-22), registration cancelled 1993-11-22, S/N 3879A0593 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0593
- Airframe hours: 3008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Riches Air Service
- Registered owner: Carol A. Polcyn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: HYS, HAYS, KS
- Destination: HYS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 63 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HYS, 4 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 19920616020729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920616020729A), Jun 16, 1992: Piper PA38112, Catherine, KS, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate trying to depart a rough tall grass pasture. Encountered a fence. Pulled up but tail hit fence

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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