# NTSB CHI92LA255: Piper PA-28-140, N5544J, Marseilles, IL, August 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1992, 19:45 local (Aug 25, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Marseilles, IL
- Coordinates: 41.319156, -88.679512 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3192&lon=-88.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA255

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF ABOUT 1,500 FEET DOWN THE 2,140 FOOT RUNWAY.  ON INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AND RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT WHEN ENGINE AGAIN BEGAN TO RUN SMOOTHLY.  THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED WHEN IT CONTACTED TALL GRASS IN THE OVERRUN AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, WHEN IT EXITED THE OVERRUN AND ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5544J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5544J-2018-08-25), registration cancelled 2018-08-25, S/N 28-22075, built 1966 (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: 28-22075
- Airframe hours: 1955
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Habdas, J. & Schubert, J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1992, 85 hours before
- Departed: 68IL
- Destination: 1C5, PLAINFIELD, IL
- Airport: 68IL, Prairie Lake Hunt Club, runway 18, 2,140 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 202 total, 202 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 22 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 19920824032929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920824032929A), Aug 24, 1992: Piper PA28140, Marseiller, IL, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered on takeoff. Settled to runway tried go around. Ran off end runway into tall grass.

## Other investigations on N5544J (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA17CA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA322), May 27, 2017: Piper PA28 (N5544J), Gilbert, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper glidepath in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting terrain short of the runway threshold.

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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