# NTSB CHI79AA082: Piper PA-32R, N8425C, Indianapolis, IN, September 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 28, 1979
- Place: Indianapolis, IN · INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Location: 39.7684° N, 86.1580° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Indianapolis, IN, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7684&lon=-86.1580&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79AA082
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79AA082

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3516  79/9/28  NR.INDIANAPOLIS,IN    PIPER PA-32R        CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 350
        TIME - 0045                    N8425C              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 32 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - INDIANAPOLIS METR
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SOUTHBEND,IN                MUNCIE,IN                   INDIANAPOLIS,IN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    700
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      64
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          120                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT 198 LBS OVR MAX GWT AT TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8425C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8425C-1989-10-10), registration cancelled 1989-10-10, S/N 32R7680113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Indianapolis Metr

## 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 19790928044029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790928044029A), Sep 28, 1979: Piper PA32R300, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Operated airplane VFR in clouds at dark night. Indicates loss of control of airplane by pilot due to disorientation

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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