1989-07-27: Piper PA-32R-300 — Nappanee, IN

Casualties unknown • Nappanee, IN, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT CALCULATION OF WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON A PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT DEMONSTRATING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. IT CONTINUED ACROSS A FIELD, ROADWAY, AND DITCH, SEPARATING THE LEFT WING FROM THE AIRPLANE. POST- ACCIDENT EVALUATION REVEALED 4 OF THE 6 CYLINDERS TO HAVE INADEQUATE COMPRESSION, THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT WAS EXCEEDED, AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS AFT OF ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-27 Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Nappanee, IN?

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON A PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT DEMONSTRATING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. IT CONTINUED ACROSS A FIELD, ROADWAY, AND DITCH, SEPARATING THE LEFT WING FROM THE AIRPLANE. POST-…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-27 involved a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N3923F, at Nappanee, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT CALCULATION OF WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28779. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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