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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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May 13, 1997 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8309L

Grayslake, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grayslake, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8309L
Operator
Cardinal Aircraft Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA130

The pilot stated that on his fourth landing, during a series of night touch and go's, he 'flared the plane and it 'floated' for a long time.' With the end of the runway approaching the airplane departed the runway onto a taxiway. The pilot wrote 'I tried to turn into the taxiway at the runway's end, but was going too fast to make the turn.' The aircraft exited the taxiway, coming to rest in a 'nose down' attitude in a small canal off the end of the runway and taxiway. After exiting the airplane the pilot reported 'I noticed a strong wind directly from the east and observed the wind sock standing out with a bend of approximately 45 degrees.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of the aircraft's speed and runway distance available. Factors were an off-field ditch and a tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On May 12, 1997, at 2100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8309L, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an overrun on landing. The airplane was landing on runway 27 (3,270' x 40' dry asphalt) at Campbell Airport, near Grayslake, Illinois. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the local flight, that departed at 2010. In a written statement by the pilot, he stated that on his fourth landing, during a series of night touch and go's, he "flared the plane and it 'floated' for a long time." With the end of the runway approaching the airplane departed the runway onto a taxiway. The pilot wrote, "I tried to turn into the taxiway at the runway's end, but was going too fast to make the turn." The aircraft exited the taxiway, coming to rest in a "nose down" attitude in a small canal off the end of the runway and taxiway. After exiting the airplane the pilot reported, "I noticed a strong wind directly from the east and observed the wind sock standing out with a bend of approximately 45 degrees."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCAMBELL (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3270 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8309L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCardinal Aircraft Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data