# Accident 20240401003539A: Piper PA-28-236, Muncie, IN, April 1, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 1, 2024, 10:28 local time
- Place: Muncie, IN
- Airport: Delaware County Regional
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.2348° N, 85.4049° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2348&lon=-85.4049&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8438B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8438B-2024-10-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-236 (registry code 7102815, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-J3A5D (registry code 42358, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-j3a5d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA144) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240401003539A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON APRIL 1, 2024, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:28AM EASTERN TIME, A PIPER PA-28, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, WAS ON APPROACH TO RUNWAY 14 AT DELAWARE COUNTY AIRPORT (KMIE), MUNCIE, INDIANA. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) WITH A 500FT CEILING.

AUDIO RECORDINGS CONFIRM THE PILOT WAS CLEARED BY INDY APPROACH FOR AN RNAV RUNWAY 14 APPROACH AT KMIE. AFTER TRANSFER OF COMMUNICATION FROM INDY APPROACH TO THE KMIE TOWER, THE KMIE TOWER CLEARED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ TO LAND ON RUNWAY 14. IN THE AUDIO RECORDING, THE PILOT STATED HE NEEDED TO MAKE A 360 AS HE "JUST CAUGHT THE FIELD". KMIE TOWER SAID "ROGER". THE KMIE TOWER THEN ADVISED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^THERE WAS A KING AIR SEVEN MILES OUT ON FINAL AND TO LET THE TOWER KNOW WHEN HE WAS RE-ESTABLISHED. PILOT REPLIED WITH "ROGER, WILL REPORT WHEN RE-ESTABLISHED ON FINAL".

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CAPTURED ON A NEARBY DOORBELL CAMERA DESCENDING FROM THE CLOUDS WITH A VERTICAL DESCENT. VIDEO FROM THE DOORBELL CAMERA SHOWS THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE ATTEMPTING TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS TOO LOW IN ALTITUDE RESULTING IN IMPACTING TREES AND ONTO A PEDESTRIAN WALKING TRAIL. THE IMPACT WITH THE TREES TORE THE TOP OFF THE FUSELAGE, SEPARATED THE VERTICAL STABILER AND BOTH WINGS. UNBURNED FUEL FROM WINGS INGNITED CAUSING A FIERY BALL TO FOLLOW THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A WET FIELD.

TWO PEDESTRIANS ON THE WALKING TRAIL WERE ENGULFED IN THE FLAMES FROM THE AIRCRAFT AS THE AIRCRAFT PASSED THROUGH THE TREES AND PAST THE PEDESTRIANS. BOTH PEDESTRIANS SUSTAINED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS.

PILOT WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND LATER PASSED ON APRIL 20TH, 2024.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA144), Apr 1, 2024: Piper PA28 (N8438B), Muncie, IN, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control while maneuvering outside established instrument approach procedures in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an…

## Other reports on N8438B (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20040228006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040228006169A), Feb 28, 2004: Piper PA28236 (N8438B), Bourbon, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Accident investigation revealed excessive brake wear. About 20% brake surface being utilized on both brake discs combined. Last annual inspection did…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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