Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28R-201 near West Chicago, IL — 2026-05-13

Final reportCEN26LA186
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Date
2026-05-13
Location
West Chicago, IL, USA
Airport
DPA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28R-201
Registration
N31401
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff and delay to abort the takeoff which resulted in a subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he estimated a takeoff distance of 1,200 ft based on his gross weight and weather conditions. The airplane preflight, engine start, and engine run-up were normal for the personal flight, and he performed an intersection takeoff, which provided about 2,500 ft of useable runway length from a total runway length of 3,399 ft. The pilot began the takeoff roll from a full stop with full engine power and used a short field takeoff wing flap setting of 25o. The pilot stated that the engine was operating at full power, and the engine instruments indicated no problems. About 1,300 ft from the end of the runway, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff because the airplane did not attain his target rotation speed. The pilot reduced engine power to idle and applied brakes, but as the airplane neared the end of the runway, he applied maximum braking and moved the control yoke full aft to increase the airplane weight on the main landing gear wheels. The left main landing gear wheel then locked up, and the airplane veered off the runway and impacted a runway end identifier light resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used the entire runway length for the takeoff, which would have provided enough distance to safely stop the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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