# NTSB CHI97LA028: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8308V, Lansing, IL, November 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 1996, 21:34 local (Nov 17, 1996, 03:34 UTC) - Place: Lansing, IL - Coordinates: 41.560283, -87.540222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5603&lon=-87.5402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10492/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA028 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to go around, while there was still sufficient runway remaining. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated the 'directional plane' at the airport was indicating winds from 180 to 240 degrees, which favored runway 27. He stated that this information contradicted what the AWOS had reported. Subsequently, the pilot realized he would not be able stop the airplane on the runway. However, given the length of runway remaining, the airspeed, and the dark night conditions, he doubted he could 'rotate' the airplane off the runway. The airplane traveled off the end of runway 27 at a speed of about 35 knots. AWOS at the time of the accident was reporting winds from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 1996, at 2134 central standard time, a Piper PA- 32R-301T, N8308V, operated by a private pilot collided with a ditch at the departure end of the runway while landing on runway 27 (3,655' x 75') at the Lansing Municipal Airport, Lansing, Illinois. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Two other passengers were seriously injured. The airplane as substantially damaged. The flight originated from Romeo, Michigan, at 2130 eastern standard time. The pilot stated that while en route from Romeo, Michigan, to Lansing he monitored the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) located at Lansing. He stated the AWOS was reporting strong southerly winds. He stated that upon reaching the Lansing Municipal Airport he flew over the airport and noticed the "directional plane" moving from 180 degrees to 240 degrees and that it contradicted what the AWOS was reporting. He stated runway 27 was favored due to the variable wind direction. According to the pilot he made one landing attempt on runway 27 which ended in a go-around as he was unable to maintain alignment with the runway centerline. He stated that during the second attempt he used two notches of flaps instead of three which was what he used during the first attempt. He stated the airplane touched down near the runway numbers at an indicated airspeed of 85 to 90 knots. He stated that seconds later the airspeed had decreased to 70 knots; however, it was still 60 knots when the airplane was half way down the runway. The pilot continued to report, "I pulled the last notch of flaps on and forcefully applied the brakes at this time... ." He stated that with 1,000 feet of runway remaining the airspeed was indicating 50 knots. The pilot reported, "Realizing that due to my present airspeed, amount of runway I had remaining, the darkness of the area in front and above me and the winds I most probably could not rotate the plane off of the pavement... ." He stated that as he passed the runway end lights he noted the airspeed had slowed to 35 knots. The airplane continued off the end of the runway where it contacted a guard rail prior to coming to a stop. The Lansing AWOS was reporting winds from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8308V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8308V), registered now, S/N 32R-8129016, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8129016 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kalvest Company, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: D98, ROMEO, MI - Destination: IGQ - Airport: IGQ, Lansing Municipal, runway 17, 3,658 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 316 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: variable at 16 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: IGQ ## 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 19961116036969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961116036969A), Nov 16, 1996: Piper PA32R301T, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. After several landing attempts in severe cross wind ran off end runway into a ditch. Crosswind component exceeded. (-23) after several attempted landings in… 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.