# NTSB CHI76FET37: Piper PA-28R, N56639, Munster, IN, May 31, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 31, 1976
- Place: Munster, IN · MUNSTER, IN
- Location: 41.5471° N, 87.5041° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Munster, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5471&lon=-87.5041&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 154719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76FET37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FET37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2243  76/5/31    MUNSTER,IN          PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 2130
        TIME - 2324                    N56639              PX-  0  2  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 34 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LANSING MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHELL LAKE,WI               LANSING,IL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       58
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           10                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- PLT DESCENDED BELOW MDA WITHOUT ADEQUATE VIS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56639](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56639), registered now, S/N 28R-7435021, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Lansing Muni

## 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 19760531016509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760531016509A), May 31, 1976: Piper PA28R200, Munster, IN, Substantial damage. Plt descended below mda without adequate vis.

## Other investigations on N56639 (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 NYC97LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA089), May 11, 1997: Piper PA-28R-200 (N56639), Pottstown, PA, minor damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: was the flight instructor's diverted attention while standing on the wing behind a turning propeller, which resulted in his departure from the wing, forward into the turning propeller.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.