# NTSB CHI93LA116: Piper PA-32-300, N8655N, Demotte, IN, March 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1993, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Demotte, IN
- Coordinates: 41.160766, -87.260826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1608&lon=-87.2608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PLANNED APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE CIRCLED THE AIRFIELD TO CHECK THE WIND, THEN SET UP A TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 36.  THE PILOT MADE A GO AROUND AFTER THE FIRST APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THEN LANDED ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT.  THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED HEAVY BRAKING, BUT THE '...SURFACE WAS WET AND SLUSHY...THE WHEELS COULD NOT GET A HOLD ON THE GROUND.'  THE PILOT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE'D USED A SLOWER AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH TO LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8655N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7240005
- Airframe hours: 2501
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mentone Flying Club
- Registered owner: Mentone Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1992, 233 hours before
- Departed: RCR, ROCHESTER, IN
- Airport: 3CO, Demotte, runway 36, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 10 in this make and model, 452 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F

## 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 19930320005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930320005839A), Mar 20, 1993: Piper PA32300, De Motte, IN, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on slushy snow covered runway. Slid off end 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.