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May 29, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N9691W

Lake City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lake City, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N9691W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA185

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF WITH A LEFT CROSSWIND FROM AN INTERSECTION, NOT UTILIZING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY. AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT USING ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, PREMATURE LIFT OFF, AND A CROSSWIND.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1994, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N9691W, registered to Thomas J. Dillon Jr. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and operated by an instrument rated commercial pilot, experienced a loss of control on initial climb from runway 27 (2,830' x 160' dry/turf) at Home Acres Sky Ranch, Lake City, Michigan, and impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported minor injuries. The passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was on departure at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Cadillac, Michigan. The pilot stated that he was aware of the left crosswind because he landed and departed the same runway earlier that day. According to the pilot he departed and climbed 20 to 30 feet when he encountered no aileron or rudder control which drifted the airplane into the trees along the runway edge. A witness who was located on a road west of the runway observed an airplane traveling westbound when he lost sight of the airplane because of a small dip. Once the airplane reappeared it was airborne approximately 8 feet above the ground when it impacted the trees. Another witness who was located on a taxiway observed the airplane to initiate the takeoff run between taxiway Ida and Gallate. The airplane did not use all of the available runway for departure. The witness stated that the airplane bounced 10 feet high and started bobbing until it came to rest in the trees. The witness stated that there was a gust of wind at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 EDT
Nearest AirportHome Acres Sky Ranch (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3830 ft
Runway Width160 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN9691W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 17 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data