Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Lansing, Illinois, November 17, 1996
On November 17, 1996 at about 3:34 am local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N8308V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lansing, Illinois (Lansing Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to go around, while there was still sufficient runway remaining. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 1996 · about 3:34 am local time
- Place
- Lansing, Illinois · Lansing Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N8308V · registry record · serial 32R-8129016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated the 'directional plane' at the airport was indicating winds from 180 to 240 degrees, which favored runway 27. He stated that this information contradicted what the AWOS had reported. Subsequently, the pilot realized he would not be able stop the airplane on the runway. However, given the length of runway remaining, the airspeed, and the dark night conditions, he doubted he could 'rotate' the airplane off the runway. The airplane traveled off the end of runway 27 at a speed of about 35 knots. AWOS at the time of the accident was reporting winds from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots.
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: 68 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 316 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 6,500 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D98 Romeo MI at 2:30 am
- Destination: IGQ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,658 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 4:00 am from IGQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.