Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Downers Grove, Illinois, September 7, 2001
On September 7, 2001 at about 4:53 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N81557, was destroyed in an accident near Downers Grove, Illinois (Brookeridge Air Park Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the improper preflight planning/preparation and the short field take off/procedure not followed by the pilot. Contributing factors were the airplane's forward center of gravity, the variable gusting wind and improper weight and balance calculations by maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2001 · about 4:53 pm local time
- Place
- Downers Grove, Illinois · Brookeridge Air Park Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N81557 · no longer on the register · serial 32R-8029055
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted terrain after striking trees and a power line in a residential area during initial climb from runway 27. Recorded wind data from two weather observation stations reported winds from 170 degrees at 14 knots gusting 17 knots and 200 degrees at 16 knots gusting 22 knots. The pilot used a power setting of 35 inches of manifold pressure and a flap setting of 10 degrees for the takeoff configuration. The only takeoff configurations cited in the pilot's operating handbook and checklists are with the use of 36 inches of manifold pressure and a flap setting of either 0 or 25 degrees. There is no performance data within the pilot's operating handbook for flight configurations using 10 degrees of flaps. A review of the airplane's weight and balance forms found a discrepancy in the empty weight values. The airplane's weight and balance forms were reviewed and Safety Board calculations indicated that the airplane had an empty weight of 2,357.57 pounds and a center of gravity of 79.9 inches, compared to an empty weight of 2,261.67 pounds and a CG of 83.3 inches listed in the latest revision forms. The pilot reported using a basic empty weight of 2,304 pounds and a CG of 83.3 inches in his weight and balance calculations. The Safety Board calculated the weight and CG location for the accident flight as 3,490 pounds and 87 inches, respectively. The forward CG range for the accident airplane's weight was between 89 inches and 95 inches. Information about the effects of CG location and wind velocity on takeoff performance is available to pilots from the Federal Aviation Administration and commercial publications. Postaccident examination of the engine found evidence of some spark plug fouling, and camshaft and lifter body wear, although the negative effect of this wear on engine performance is not known because the proper short field takeoff procedures were not followed. The airplane's engine logs did not specify whether oil filters were inspected for metal debris during oil and filter changes.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,693 hours in all; 297 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,959 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 2001; 92.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LL22 Downers Grove IL at 4:48 pm
- Destination: MCD Mackinac Island MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 27, 2,800 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 14 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,400 ft; scat at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 4:45 pm from LOT, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.