# NTSB CEN14CA481: Piper PA 28-140, N8307R, Plymouth, IN, September 1, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2014, 20:30 local (Sep 1, 2014, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, IN
- Coordinates: 41.415, -86.300003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4150&lon=-86.3000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA481
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90018/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA481

## Probable cause

The sun glare and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While preparing to land on runway 28, the pilot switched to runway 10, but then switched back to runway 28 to avoid hot air balloon and helicopter operations at the airport. While on final approach to runway 28, the pilot was blinded by the sun. The pilot stated that the airplane started to settle and he was "too low and too slow" over the cornfield. The airplane impacted the ground between the runway and the cornfield and slid across a road before coming to a stop. The fuselage and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

While preparing to land on runway 28, the pilot switched to runway 10, but then switched back to runway 28 to avoid hot air balloon and helicopter operations at the airport. While on final approach to runway 28, the pilot was blinded by the sun. The pilot stated that the airplane started to settle and he was "too low and too slow" over the cornfield. The airplane impacted the ground between the runway and the cornfield and slid across a road before coming to a stop. The fuselage and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8307R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8307R), registered now, S/N 28-22176, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22176
- Year built: 1966
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: C65, Plymouth, IN
- Destination: C65, Plymouth, IN
- Airport: C65, Plymouth Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,100 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KOXI, 17 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 20140831015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140831015909A), Aug 31, 2014: Piper PA-28-140, Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot was flying a Piper cherokee PA-28-140, registration N8307R, (VFR) in the vicinity of Plymouth, Indiana, on August 31, 2014. At approximately 2004…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90018. 761 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 761 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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