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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 6, 1982 · Piper PA-28-181 · N7644F

East Lansing, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
East Lansing, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N7644F
Operator
William H Cruse
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA039

THE PILOT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ON A SNOW COVERED, SOD RUNWAY THAT HAD BEEN PLOWED WITH A 50 FT WIDE STRIP. THE PLOWED AREA HAD A SNOW BASE AND THERE WERE FOUR FOOT SNOW BANKS AT THE EDGES. ALTHOUGH THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN PLOWED ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND IT HAD NOT SNOWED. THE WIND HAD DRIFTED LOOSE SNOW OVERNIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A DRIFT. THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK THE SNOWBANK AT THE EDGE OF THE PLOWED STRIP.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ON A SNOW COVERED, SOD RUNWAY THAT HAD BEEN PLOWED WITH A 50 FT WIDE STRIP. THE PLOWED AREA HAD A SNOW BASE AND THERE WERE FOUR FOOT SNOW BANKS AT THE EDGES. ALTHOUGH THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN PLOWED ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND IT HAD NOT SNOWED. THE WIND HAD DRIFTED LOOSE SNOW OVERNIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A DRIFT. THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK THE SNOWBANK AT THE EDGE OF THE PLOWED STRIP.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EST
Nearest AirportDAVIS (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN7644F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam H Cruse
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time09:00

Appendix: Source Data