# NTSB CHI81FA085: Piper PA-28R, N7631J, Chicago, IL, August 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 2, 1981
- Place: Chicago, IL · CHICAGO, IL
- Location: 41.8500° N, 87.6501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chicago, IL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8500&lon=-87.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FA085
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA085

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2741   81/8/2    CHICAGO,IL          PIPER PA-28R        CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 510
        TIME - 1620                    N7631J              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 290 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TROY,MI                     WAUKESHA,WI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- ADZD DRG TWO WX BRFGS VFR FLT NOT RECOMMENDED.OTR PLT NOT INST RATED.PLT AT CTLS PRESUMED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7631J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7631J-1981-10-15), registration cancelled 1981-10-15, S/N 28R31026 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810802046929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810802046929A), Aug 2, 1981: Piper PA28R180, Chicago, IL, Destroyed. Proceeded VFR into a squall line. Was overserved diving into lake. Lost control in adverse weather. VFR not advised

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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