# NTSB CHI81FEC26: Piper PA-28, N4996F, Bad Axe, MI, May 30, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 30, 1981
- Place: Bad Axe, MI · BAD AXE, MI
- Location: 43.8049° N, 82.9983° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bad Axe, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8049&lon=-82.9983&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEC26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEC26-201163

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1244  81/5/30  NR.BAD AXE,MI         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 21, 1096
        TIME - 1545                    N4996F              PX-  0  2  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 427 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BAD AXE,MI                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- R WING STRUCK PWR LINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4996F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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 19810530031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810530031869A), May 30, 1981: Piper PA28140, Bad Axe, MI, Destroyed. Pilot allowed aircraft to hit high tension lines during low flight passenger ride. Airplane crashed and burned.

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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