# NTSB ATL86FA092: Piper PA-23, N3124P, Toledo, OH, March 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1986, 05:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, OH
- Coordinates: 41.580764, -83.889045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5808&lon=-83.8890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA092

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N3124P CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 07 AT EXPRESS AIRPORT IN TOLEDO, OH. THE PILOT HAD ATTEMPTED AN APPROACH AT METCALF AIRPORT BUT MISSED THE APPROACH BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT IN A WOODED AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1200 FEET SOUTHWEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE EXAMINATION ALSO FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ILS SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO INDICATE THAT IT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THIS APPROACH IS 883 FEET MSL. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHY THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW THE DECISION HEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3124P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3124P-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 231047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Zody
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1986
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TOL, Toledo, runway 7, 8,699 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,973 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,173 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860313006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860313006439A), Mar 13, 1986: Piper PA23, Swanton, OH, Destroyed. Struck trees on final while executing an ILS approach in low IFR weather. No mechanical malfunction found.

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.

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