# NTSB CHI79FET32: Piper PA-28, N5198W, Bluffton, IN, September 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1979
- Place: Bluffton, IN · BLUFFTON, IN
- Location: 40.7435° N, 85.1721° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bluffton, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7435&lon=-85.1721&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FET32
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FET32

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2388  79/9/16    BLUFFTON,IN         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 75, 805
        TIME - 1540                    N5198W              PX-  0  0  4  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BLUFFTON,IN                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5198W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5198W-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 28-233, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790916027089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790916027089A), Sep 16, 1979: Piper PA28160, Bluffton, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine ran rough and lost power. Landed in soft field. Nosed over. Possible fuel contamination.

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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