# NTSB CHI79FA059: Piper PA-22, N5809D, Pellston, MI, July 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 21, 1979
- Place: Pellston, MI · PELLSTON, MI
- Location: 45.5516° N, 84.7834° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pellston, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5516&lon=-84.7834&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FA059
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA059

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2508  79/7/21    PELLSTON,MI         PIPER PA-22         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 22, 138
        TIME - 1116                    N5809D              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 47 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EMMET COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PELLSTON,MI                 MACKINAW,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: BUILDING(S)                               LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INCAPACITATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PILOT SUSTAINED EPILEPTIC SEIZURE. HANGAR AND 3 GENERAL AVIATION ACFT DESTROYED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5809D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5809D-1982-11-15), registration cancelled 1982-11-15, S/N 22-4484 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Emmet 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 19790721027669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790721027669A), Jul 21, 1979: Piper PA22, Pellston, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pathologist stated pilot experienced an epileptic seizure during flight.

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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