# NTSB CHI94LA305: Piper PA-28-140, N1197X, Jackson, MN, August 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1994, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Jackson, MN - Coordinates: 43.61906, -94.979438 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6191&lon=-94.9794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9661/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA305 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the soft terrain and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED ALL PREFLIGHT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS WERE WITHIN LIMITS FOR THE PLANNED ONE HOUR FLIGHT WITH A TOTAL OF FIVE PERSONS ABOARD. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE FAA INSPECTOR. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT STATED HE FELT THE AIRPLANE DIGGING INTO THE SOFT, WET SOD RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BRIEFLY BUT THEN SETTLED BACK DOWN ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A RAVINE LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT REALIZE THE RUNWAY WAS SO SOFT FROM THE AMOUNT OF RAIN THAT THE LOCAL AREA HAD RECEIVED RECENTLY. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1994, at 1710 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N1197X, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from Jackson Municipal Airport, Jackson, Minnesota. The private pilot and four passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. The pilot and passengers boarded the airplane in preparation for their planned one hour flight back to Jordon, Minnesota. The pilot stated all preflight weight and balance calculations were within limits. This was confirmed by FAA Inspector Jerry Weston. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 22 (2274' x 300'), he felt the airplane digging into the soft, wet sod runway. The airplane became airborne briefly but then settled back down onto the runway. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane came to rest in a ravine located at the end of the runway. The pilot stated he did not realize the runway was so soft from the amount of rain that the local area had received recently. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1197X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1197X-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 287525306, built 1975 (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: 28-7525306 - Airframe hours: 2527 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: D. Ringgenberg/R. Meisen - Registered owner: D. Ringgenberg/R. Meisen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1993, 25 hours before - Destination: MN63, JORDON, MN - Airport: MJQ, Jackson Municipal, runway 22, 2,274 × 300 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 330 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 285° at 10 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940828035009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940828035009A), Aug 28, 1994: Piper PA28140, Jackson, MN, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff on sod runway. Became airborne then elected to abort. Ran off end runway. 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.