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NTSB Report
November 5, 1992 · Piper PA-28-140 · N16231
Ames, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ames, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N16231
Operator
North Star Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA025
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 200 FT, THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO 'WIND DOWN.' A WITNESS STATED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ROTATE DURING THE TAKEOFF UNTIL IT WAS 3/4 TO 7/8 THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY. JUST PRIOR TO THE HEARING THE IMPACT, HE STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 50 FT AGL. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS APRX 178 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 200 FT, THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO 'WIND DOWN.' A WITNESS STATED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ROTATE DURING THE TAKEOFF UNTIL IT WAS 3/4 TO 7/8 THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY. JUST PRIOR TO THE HEARING THE IMPACT, HE STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 50 FT AGL. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS APRX 178 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CST
Nearest AirportAmes Municipal (1nm NW)
Runway31
Runway Length3492 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN16231
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorth Star Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC