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Airplane Departs Runway During Takeoff in Snowy Conditions (N793MA)

Greensburg, IN, US

On December 13, 2002, a Piper PA28-181 (registration N793MA) was involved in an aviation accident near Greensburg, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors included inadequate planning/decision by the pilot for attempting to depart from the slush covered runway, the slush covered runway itself, and the falling snow. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot lost control during takeoff in heavy snow and slush, causing the airplane to depart the runway and come to rest in a plowed field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Accident Sequence

The airplane was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface while attempting to takeoff. It came to rest in a plowed field adjacent to the airport.

In his statement, the pilot reported: "As I started to lift off, suddenly the plane skid" and started to go toward the side of the runway. He went on to note that to avoid a collision, "I turned the plane to the west and tried to reduce speed, but the plane was out of control..."

Witness Observations

The airport manager, who witnessed the accident aircraft attempting to takeoff, stated: "It was snowing fairly heavy, with a couple of inches of slush on the runway." He reported that it was almost a "white out" condition, and estimated visibility as approximately 1/4 mile.

Post-Accident Examination

The pilot stated that there were no abnormalities with the controls, and no malfunctions with the aircraft. A post-accident examination also revealed no anomalies.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Dec 2002 Piper PA28-181 accident near Greensburg, IN?

A pilot lost control during takeoff in heavy snow and slush, causing the airplane to depart the runway and come to rest in a plowed field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Dec 2002 Piper PA28-181 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Dec 2002 involved a Piper PA28-181, registration N793MA, at Greensburg, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors included inadequate planning/decision by the pilot for attempting to depart from the slush covered runway, the slush covered runway itself, and the falling snow.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021217X05615. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.