# NTSB CHI94LA185: Piper PA-28-140, N9691W, Lake City, MI, May 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1994, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Lake City, MI - Coordinates: 44.329704, -85.200141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3297&lon=-85.2001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9554/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA185 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT USING ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, PREMATURE LIFT OFF, AND A CROSSWIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF WITH A LEFT CROSSWIND FROM AN INTERSECTION, NOT UTILIZING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY. AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1994, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N9691W, registered to Thomas J. Dillon Jr. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and operated by an instrument rated commercial pilot, experienced a loss of control on initial climb from runway 27 (2,830' x 160' dry/turf) at Home Acres Sky Ranch, Lake City, Michigan, and impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported minor injuries. The passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was on departure at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Cadillac, Michigan. The pilot stated that he was aware of the left crosswind because he landed and departed the same runway earlier that day. According to the pilot he departed and climbed 20 to 30 feet when he encountered no aileron or rudder control which drifted the airplane into the trees along the runway edge. A witness who was located on a road west of the runway observed an airplane traveling westbound when he lost sight of the airplane because of a small dip. Once the airplane reappeared it was airborne approximately 8 feet above the ground when it impacted the trees. Another witness who was located on a taxiway observed the airplane to initiate the takeoff run between taxiway Ida and Gallate. The airplane did not use all of the available runway for departure. The witness stated that the airplane bounced 10 feet high and started bobbing until it came to rest in the trees. The witness stated that there was a gust of wind at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9691W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9691W-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 28-23162, built 1967 (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: 28-23162 - Airframe hours: 2143 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dillon, Thomas J. Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1993, 26 hours before - Destination: CAD, CADILLAC, MI - Airport: Y91, Home Acres Sky Ranch, runway 27, 3,830 × 160 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,691 total, 1,680 in this make and model, 1,691 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 17 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CAD, 14 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 19940529012999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940529012999A), May 29, 1994: Piper PA28140, Lake City, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control taking off in crosswind. Last flight for PIC authority on 9290. 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.