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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 14, 1994 · Piper PA-23-150 · N1346P

Dowagiac, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Dowagiac, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-150
Tail Number
N1346P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA064

THE PILOT BEGAN A TAKEOFF ROLL ON A RUNWAY THAT HAD PACKED SNOW AND ICE WHICH WAS COVERED WITH FOUR INCHES OF SNOW. SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER THE AIRPLANE TURNED TOWARD THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, EVENTUALLY GOING THROUGH A SNOWBANK. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED THE CONTROL THE AIRPLANE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO ON THE 100 FOOT WIDE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES WITH THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINES.

NTSB Probable Cause

was the pilot not maintaining directional control during the takeoff ground roll. Factors related to the accident were the icy, snow covered runway and poor preflight planning/preparation.

Full Narrative

On January 14, 1994, at 0745 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-23-150, N1346P, registered to David Weiss of Dowagiac, Michigan, and piloted by a multi-engine rated private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a snowbank during takeoff roll on runway 27 (4,700' X 100' asphalt covered with three to four inches of snow over packed snow and ice) at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was departing Dowagiac, Michigan, at 0745 est. According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "The aircraft was pulling to the left..." after he had advanced the throttles. He stated he tried to correct for the left turning force but was unable to due to the deepening snow on the runway's left side. He said the airplane went through a snowbank on the runway's left side. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), the pilot said that both engines on N1346P were running correctly. He was asked if the left engine had any mechanical problems. The pilot's answer was "no." The pilot restated his written and spoken statements during a telephone interview. The pilot was asked why he did not abort the takeoff when he became aware of the airplane's movement toward the runway's left side. He said he had no idea why he did not abort. The on-scene investigation revealed a collapsed nose gear, forward fuselage bulkhead crushing, the forward fuselage internal frame was bent in the area surrounding the landing gear trunnion mount.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 EST
Nearest AirportDowagiac Municipal (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-150
Tail NumberN1346P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDawn
Wind80° @ 6 kt
Visibility0.8 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data