Piper PA-28R-201 accident near West Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2026
On May 13, 2026 at about 2:55 pm local time, a 1978 Piper PA-28R-201, registered N31401, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near West Chicago, Illinois (Dupage Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff and delay to abort the takeoff which resulted in a subsequent runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2026 · about 2:55 pm local time
- Place
- West Chicago, Illinois · Dupage Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-201, built 1978 · all PA-28R-201s on the register
- Registration
- N31401 · registry record · serial 28R-7837234
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 833 hours in all; 173 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 759 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,968.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 14, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (piston); 7,020 hours total
The flight
- Destination: JVL Janesville WI
- Runway 33, 3,399 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 9:52 am from DPA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 17, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.