Piper PA-38-112 accident near Newark, Illinois, June 15, 1993
On June 15, 1993 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N381CF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newark, Illinois (Cushing Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 1993 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Newark, Illinois · Cushing Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N381CF · no longer on the register · serial 38-79A0280
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED NORMAL ACCELERATION AND LIFTOFF FROM THE 2,800' GRASS STRIP. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 20', HE SAID '...I SUDDENLY LOST LIFT.' HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE POST IN A FIELD LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A SOYBEAN FIELD. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE CLAIMED BY THE PILOT OR DISCOVERED DURING THE POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 175 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 94 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 149 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,225 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 1993; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Flying C Leasing
The flight
- Destination: LOT Romeoville IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,800 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.