# NTSB CHI95LA331: Piper PA-28, N39999, Poseyville, IN, September 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1995, 19:45 local (Sep 26, 1995, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Poseyville, IN - Coordinates: 38.170261, -87.779273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1703&lon=-87.7793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 8, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10039 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10039/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA331 ## Probable cause the pilot's poor judgement in making a night takeoff on an unlit runway and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors associated with the accident were the hay bale, the night conditions and the unlit runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,in-runway lights - not available on selected runway (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IT WAS DARK WHEN HE DEPARTED THE GRASS AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT DETERMINED THAT HE COULD TAKEOFF EVEN THOUGH THE RUNWAYS LACKED ANY LIGHTING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE INSTRUCTED SOMEONE IN AN AUTOMOBILE TO POSTION THE AUTOMOBILE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 22, AND TO SHINE ITS LIGHTS AT THE AIRPLANE IN ORDER TO GIVE THE PILOT A CENTERLINE REFERENCE FOR RUNWAY 22. THE PILOT STATED, 'UNFORTUNATELY, I INSTRUCTED THE AUTOMOBILE TO SET AT THE END OF RUNWAY 18.' HE FURTHER STATED THAT, 'A BLATANT ERROR IN JUDGMENT AND AIRCRAFT DIRECTION RESULTED IN DEPARTING THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTING A ROLLED BALE OF HAY IN THE ADJACENT FIELD.' ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1995, at 1945 eastern standard time, a Piper PA- 28, N39999, sustained substantial damage during takeoff roll when its right wingtip hit a hay bale. The private pilot reported no injuries to himself or the three passengers on board. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing an unlit grass strip near Poseyville, Indiana, en route to Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, Fisher, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that it was dark when he departed the grass airstrip. The pilot determined that he could takeoff even though the runways lacked any lighting. The pilot reported that he instructed someone in an automobile to postion the automobile at the departure end of runway 22, and to shine its lights at the airplane in order to give the pilot a centerline reference for runway 22. The pilot stated, "Unfortunately, I instructed the automobile to set at the end of runway 18." He further stated that, "a blatant error in judgment and aircraft direction resulted in departing the runway and impacting a rolled bale of hay in the adjacent field." After the impact with the hay bale, the pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane immediately, and suffered no injuries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39999](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39999-1996-07-22), registration cancelled 1996-07-22, S/N 287916017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-79-16017 - Airframe hours: 4165 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Indianapolis Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1995, 4 hours before - Departed: 92IN - Destination: UMP, FISHERS, IN - Airport: 92IN, Poseyville Employment, runway 22, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 130 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EVV, 15 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 19950925030009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950925030009A), Sep 25, 1995: Piper PA28161, Poseyville, IN, Substantial damage. Attempted night takeoff from unlighted runway. Wing struck hay bale in adjacent field. Auto lights wrong position. (-23) the pilot was departing Poseyville… 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.