# NTSB ATL88FA044: Piper PA-32R-301, N8046X, Commercial Pt, OH, November 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 19:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Commercial Pt, OH
- Coordinates: 39.770008, -83.06002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7700&lon=-83.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ON A WHEAT FIELD DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT TRAINING FLT. THE PLT HAD DECLARED A VACUUM SYSTEM FAILURE ABOUT 40 MINUTES AFTER TAKE-OFF BUT HE DECLINED ATC ASSISTANCE FOR A NO-GYRO APPROACH TO COLUMBUS. TWO MINUTES AFTER THE RADIO CALL RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. RADAR DATA DISCLOSED ERRATIC HEADING AND AIRSPEED CHANGES DURING THE LAST MINUTE OF FLT. DURING THE POST ACC INVESTIGATION EACH OF THE INSTRUMENTS WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A SUCTION CUP. BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE VACUUM SYSTEM WAS FOUND. THE ACFT HAD ALSO BEEN MODIFIED WITH A STAND BY VACUUM SYSTEM FOR USE IN AN EMERGENCY AFTER FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY SYSTEM. ONLY PIECES OF THE SYSTEM WERE FOUND DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT BUT THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SUCTION CUPS, LIKE THE ONE FOUND, ARE USED BY INSTRUCTORS TO COVER INSTRUMENTS FOR PARTIAL PANEL TRAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8046X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8046X-1991-03-01), registration cancelled 1991-03-01, S/N 32R8213024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8213024
- Airframe hours: 1840
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Scope Leasing
- Registered owner: Scope Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1987, 73 hours before
- Departed: COLUMBUS, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 45 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 472 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH

## 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 19871124081719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124081719A), Nov 24, 1987: Piper PA32R301, Columbus, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported vacuum system failure. Lost control and crashed. Icing in area. Aircraft equipped with standby vacuum.

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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