Piper PA-22-150 accident near Clay Center, Nebraska, September 3, 1993
On September 3, 1993 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N5942D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clay Center, Nebraska (Clay Center 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
inadequate preflight planning by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were a soft runway with high grass and the airplane's failure to attain a climb once airborne.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 1993 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Clay Center, Nebraska · Clay Center · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N5942D · registry record · serial 22-4605
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE TAXIING FOR DEPARTURE THE PILOT REMARKED TO A PASSENGER THAT THE RUNWAY SURFACE FELT SOFT. THE PILOT REPORTED THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE WAS EIGHT INCHES HIGH. ACCELERATION DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS SLOW ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. HE STATED HE ATTAINED 55 MPH AND EXTENDED FULL FLAPS AFTER USING 75 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO AN ALTITUDE OF 25 FEET WHERE IT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB SO THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE'S NOSEWHEEL STRUCK A COMBINE RUT AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN THREE FOOT HIGH GRASS.
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: 730 hours in all; 465 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 715 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,682 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 29, 1993; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,376 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from H51, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.