# NTSB CHI97LA261: Piper PA-25-235, N9781P, Hinckley, IL, August 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Hinckley, IL - Coordinates: 41.760734, -88.640914 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7607&lon=-88.6409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA261 ## Probable cause the failure of the glider pilot to properly handle his airplane during the initial takeoff climb which resulted in the tow pilot's inability to maintain control of his airplane. ## 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 - aircraft handling - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot of the tow plane reported that after takeoff at an altitude of about 50 ft agl, he felt a 'large pull' on the tail of his airplane. He looked back and saw the glider was 'very high and off to my left side.' He then felt slack in the line at which time he thought the glider was moving back into position. At an altitude of 100' to 150' a 'violent jerk' occurred and the tow plane was forced into a nose down attitude. The tow rope was released but the airplane continued in the nose down attitude until it contacted the terrain. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1997, at 1400 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-25-235, N9781P, operated by Hinckley Soaring, Inc., collided with the terrain following a loss of control during climb shortly after takeoff from the Hinckley Airport, Hinckley, Illinois. The airplane was towing a glider at the time. The glider released from N9781P and landed without incident. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged from impact and post impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Hinckley, Illinois, shortly before the accident occurred. The pilot reported that shortly after rotation, at an altitude of about 50 feet above ground level (agl), he felt a "large pull" on the tail of his airplane. He glanced back and noticed the glider was "very high and off to my left side." He reported that the position of the glider put his airplane in a level to slight nose low attitude. He reported he looked forward and felt slack in the line so he thought the glider was moving back into position. Shortly thereafter, at an altitude of about 100 to 150 feet agl, he then felt a "violent jerk" which caused the nose of his airplane to pitch down to a 45 degree angle. He reported that he believes the glider was directly over his airplane at this time. He reported that the tow line was released, but his airplane continued to descend contacting the ground in a 30 degree nose down attitude. The pilot reported that the entire event occurred within 10 to 15 seconds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9781P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9781P-1998-04-23), registration cancelled 1998-04-23, S/N 257556091 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-7556091 - Airframe hours: 2482 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Hinckley Soaring, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1997, 147 hours before - Departed: 0C2 - Destination: 0C2 - Airport: 0C2, Hinckley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 405 in this make and model, 1,548 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 19970816043479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970816043479A), Aug 16, 1997: Piper PA25235, Hinckley, IL, Destroyed. Lost control on glider tow climb. Glider released landed ok. PA25 impacted and burned. (-23) on August 18, 1997, at approximately 1400 CDT, PA-25-235, N9781PM… 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.