Piper PA-28-181 accident near Naperville, Illinois, May 8, 2008
On May 8, 2008 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N2245M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Naperville, Illinois (Naper Aero Club airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to execute a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's excessive airspeed during touchdown, which resulted in the runway overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2008 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Naperville, Illinois · Naper Aero Club · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N2245M · no longer on the register · serial 28-7890236
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he planned the local flight in order to warm up the engine prior to an oil change. Upon returning to the airport, he entered a left downwind for runway 18 (2,575 feet by 30 feet, asphalt). On final approach he noticed that the airspeed was 75 knots instead of 70 knots, so he reduced engine power. However, the airplane did not slow sufficiently and he crossed the runway threshold faster than normal. The airplane ballooned during the flare and touched down short of midfield. He applied maximum braking, but was unable to stop on the remaining pavement. He directed the airplane between some trees at the end of the runway. After the airplane came to a stop he shut off the ignition and battery, and exited through the luggage door. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. He commented that he should have executed a go-around and returned for another landing at the proper approach speed.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 260 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 193 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,221 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LL10 Naperville IL at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,575 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 11:49 pm from LOT, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N2245M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.