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June 30, 1982 · Piper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20 · N2124U

Washington, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Washington, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N2124U
Operator
Air Aurora
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI82FA228

During takeoff, the aircraft struck a pile of lumber that was 62 ft from the departure end of the runway. Two witnesses believed that the pilot did not use all of the runway for takeoff. One witness estimated that the pilot began the takeoff about 150 ft from the approach end. The pilot stated during takeoff, he used 10 degrees of flaps; the flight manual recommended using 25 degrees for a short field takeoff. He stated that after lift-off, he felt a gust of air rock the aircraft and it dropped. When he recovered, the plane was headed toward a building to the right of the runway centerline. He turned right to avoid the building and said that he hit something. The main wreckage came to rest about 165 ft and 159 degrees from the initial impact point with the lumber. The temperature and airport elevation were 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 773 ft. An investigation revealed no preimpact malfunction or failure of the aircraft or engine.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A PILE OF LUMBER THAT WAS 62 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. TWO WITNESSES BELIEVED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT USE ALL OFF THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE PILOT BEGAN THE TAKEOFF ABOUT 150 FT FROM THE APPROACH END. THE PILOT STATED DURING TAKEOFF, HE USED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS; THE FLIGHT MANUAL RECOMMENDED USING 25 DEGREES FOR A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE FELT A GUST OF AIR ROCK THE AIRCRAFT AND IT DROPPED. WHEN HE RECOVERED, THE PLANE WAS HEADED TOWARD A BUILDING TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. HE TURNED RIGHT TO AVOID THE BUILDING AND SAID THAT HE HIT SOMETHING. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST ABOUT 165 FT AND 159 DEGREES FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT WITH THE LUMBER. THE TEMPERATURE AND AIRPORT ELEVATION WERE 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND 773 FT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportHesselein (Pvt) (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN2124U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAir Aurora
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data