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December 11, 1987 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9494J

Richmond Hts, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Richmond Hts, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9494J
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA061

THE PLT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON RWY 23 WITH A WIND FROM 160 DEG AT 13 KTS. THE TOWER CTLR SAW THE ACFT TURN SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AFTER LIFT-OFF & SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACT ABOUT 250' LEFT OF THE RWY. THE CTLR SAID THE PLT APPEARED TO HAVE 'JERKED' THE ACFT OFF OF THE RWY, & THAT IT SUBSEQUENTLY CLIMBED NO HIGHER THAN ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS FACIAL INJURIES DRG THE ACDNT. HE LATER RPRTD HE HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF THE ACDNT OR OF THE EVENTS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING IT. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AN EXAM OF THE SEAT REVEALED IT WAS SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT TRACKS & THAT THE LATCH FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON RWY 23 WITH A WIND FROM 160 DEG AT 13 KTS. THE TOWER CTLR SAW THE ACFT TURN SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AFTER LIFT-OFF & SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACT ABOUT 250' LEFT OF THE RWY. THE CTLR SAID THE PLT APPEARED TO HAVE 'JERKED' THE ACFT OFF OF THE RWY, & THAT IT SUBSEQUENTLY CLIMBED NO HIGHER THAN ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS FACIAL INJURIES DRG THE ACDNT. HE LATER RPRTD HE HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF THE ACDNT OR OF THE EVENTS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING IT. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AN EXAM OF THE SEAT REVEALED IT WAS SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT TRACKS & THAT THE LATCH FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EST
Nearest AirportCUYAHOGA (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length5101 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9494J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data