# NTSB CHI93LA277: Piper PA-28R-200, N9307N, Flushing, MI, July 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1993, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, MI
- Coordinates: 43.060428, -83.839469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0604&lon=-83.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA277

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER TAKEOFF PROFILE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF APRX MIDFIELD. AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, HE FELT THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END, ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND LANDED ON A GRASSY AREA NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 3,300 FT.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 1993, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-R200 airplane, N9307N, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from Dalton Airport, Flushing, Michigan.  The private pilot and three passengers aboard were not injured.  The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that the airplane lifted-off approximately mid- field.  About 50' AGL, he felt the airplane would not be able to clear the trees at the departure end.  He elected to perform a precautionary landing on a grassy area next to the runway.  The pilot indicated there was no mechanical malfunction with the engine or airplane, but that the engine RPM seemed to be about 150-200 RPM lower after he lifted off than during the takeoff roll.  He wrote that the airplane was not climbing very fast.

The air temperature at the time of the accident was approximately 85 degrees fahrenheit with a dew point of 72 degrees fahrenheit. Field elevation at the accident site is 733'.  The approximate density altitude (uncompensated for humidity) at the time of the accident  was 3,300'.  A density altitude chart is attached.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9307N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9307N-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 28R-35007, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35007
- Airframe hours: 2145
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James S. Gray
- Registered owner: James S. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1993, 21 hours before
- Destination: D82, BOYNE CITY, MI
- Airport: 3DA, Dalton, runway 36, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 3,162 in this make and model, 3,613 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 38 nm away

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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