# NTSB CHI77FET31: Turner T-40A, N278S, Valparaiso, IN, August 1, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 1, 1977
- Place: Valparaiso, IN · VALPARAISO, IN
- Location: 41.4798° N, 87.0523° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valparaiso, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4798&lon=-87.0523&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI77FET31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FET31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3146   77/8/1    VALPARAISO,IN       TURNER T-40A        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 435
        TIME - 1310                    N278S               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PORTER COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FINDLAY,OH                  VALPARAISO,IN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N278S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N278S-1977-11-29), registration cancelled 1977-11-29, S/N 35, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TURNER T-40A
- Registry model: [Reider TURNER T40A](https://openairdocs.org/model/reider-turner-t40a) (registry code 0562069) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Porter County

## 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 19770801031619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770801031619A), Aug 1, 1977: Amtr 0562069, Valparaiso, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal

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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