# NTSB CHI92LA291: Piper PA-28-180, N5122S, Lansing, MI, September 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1992, 22:30 local (Sep 25, 1992, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, MI
- Coordinates: 42.789497, -84.589744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7895&lon=-84.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA291

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS OPERATING AT NIGHT AT AN UNFAMLIAR AIRPORT.  HE RECEIVED PROGRESSIVE TAXI INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS STILL ON THE TAXIWAY WHEN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER CLEARED THE PILOT FOR IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF AND ADVISED HIM OF TRAFFIC ON A TWO MILE FINAL.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE PILOT-RATED PASSENGER WAS URGING HIM TO HURRY, AND HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE.  THE PILOT STATED HE FELT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT, '...BUT I COULDN'T PUT MY FINGER ON IT.'  WHEN HE REALIZED THE AIRPLANE WAS STILL ON THE TAXIWAY AND NOT THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE.  THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, AND CAME TO REST IN A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5122S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5122S), registered now, S/N 28-7105172, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105172
- Airframe hours: 2373
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kudla, Frank R.
- Registered owner: Kudla, Frank R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1991
- Departed: LAN
- Destination: 2G5, DETROIT, MI
- Airport: LAN, Capital City, runway 6, 5,000 × 120 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 381 total, 182 in this make and model, 41 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 1 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 19920924038709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920924038709A), Sep 24, 1992: Piper PA28180, Lansing, MI, Substantial damage. Advised to expedite takeoff became disoriented and began roll on taxiway. Ran across 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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