# NTSB CHI93LA025: Piper PA-28-140, N16231, Ames, IA, November 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1992, 21:00 local (Nov 5, 1992, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Coordinates: 42.020469, -93.62014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0205&lon=-93.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - aircraft weight and balance - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 200 FT, THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO 'WIND DOWN.'  A WITNESS STATED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ROTATE DURING THE TAKEOFF UNTIL IT WAS 3/4 TO 7/8 THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY.  JUST PRIOR TO THE HEARING THE IMPACT, HE STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 50 FT AGL.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.  WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS APRX 178 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16231](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16231-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 28-7325227, built 1973 (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: 28-7325227
- Airframe hours: 5261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North Star Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Midwest Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 25, 1992, 7 hours before
- Departed: AMW
- Airport: AMW, Ames Municipal, runway 31, 3,492 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 4 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 27 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 19921104045619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921104045619A), Nov 4, 1992: Piper PA28140, Ames, IA, Substantial damage. Long takeoff roll. Unable to climb,elected to land off airport. Struck light pole. Was 178 lbs over gross weight.

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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