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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

November 12, 1986 · Piper PA-34-220T · N8161K

Detroit, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Detroit, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N8161K
Operator
Olson Flight Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA025

UPON LANDING AT DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TOWER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON RUNWAY 3C OR TAXIWAY J, AND TAXI TO BUTLER AVIATION. THE PILOT THEN TURNED ONTO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TAXIWAY J, BUT WAS ACTUALLY A PAVED AREA BETWEEN TAXIWAYS. WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT ON A TAXIWAY, HE TOLD THE TOWER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAXI STRAIGHT AHEAD IF POSSIBLE AND HE WOULD BE ON THE TAXIWAY. AFTER MOVING FORWARD, A NUMBER OF FEET, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED AN UNMARKED TRENCH, APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT WIDE BY 15 FEET LONG AND ABOUT 4 INCHES DEEP, TEARING OFF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.

Full Narrative

UPON LANDING AT DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TOWER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON RUNWAY 3C OR TAXIWAY J, AND TAXI TO BUTLER AVIATION. THE PILOT THEN TURNED ONTO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TAXIWAY J, BUT WAS ACTUALLY A PAVED AREA BETWEEN TAXIWAYS. WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT ON A TAXIWAY, HE TOLD THE TOWER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAXI STRAIGHT AHEAD IF POSSIBLE AND HE WOULD BE ON THE TAXIWAY. AFTER MOVING FORWARD, A NUMBER OF FEET, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED AN UNMARKED TRENCH, APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT WIDE BY 15 FEET LONG AND ABOUT 4 INCHES DEEP, TEARING OFF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:00 EST
Nearest AirportDetroit Metro Wayne (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length8700 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN8161K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOlson Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-KB · Reciprocating · 220
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data