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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

September 26, 1995 · Piper PA-28 · N39999

Poseyville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Poseyville, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N39999
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA331

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.'

NTSB 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.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest AirportPoseyville Employment (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN39999
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D36 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data