Piper PA-28-140 accident near Rockford, Illinois, June 14, 1992
On June 14, 1992 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N56311, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rockford, Illinois (Cottonwood airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE INSTRUCTOR'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE ROLL-OUT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 1992 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Rockford, Illinois · Cottonwood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N56311 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7325606
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE '...DID NOT ACHIEVE FLYING SPEED...' BEFORE LIFT-OFF. THERE WAS NO CLAIM OR EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD 270 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING 2.4 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A GRASS RUNWAY (2,540' X 260'), WITH TWO PASSENGERS, AND 32 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE TEMPERATURE TO BE 88 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 270 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 241 as pilot in command; 6 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,013 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 6, 1992; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,540 ft by 260 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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 N56311 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.